Methods and apparatus to generate an augmented environment including a weight indicator for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus to generate an augmented environment including a weight indicator for a vehicle are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes memory including stored instructions, a processor to execute the instructions to generate a map of loads on a vehicle based on load data associated with a sensor of the vehicle, determine a load condition of the vehicle based on the map of loads, correlate a first load of the map of loads with an object identified using live video data received from a camera, and generate an augmented environment identifying at least one of a location of the object, the first load correlated with the object, or the load condition.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent arises from a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/236,602, filed on Apr. 21, 2021, and entitled“METHODS AND APPARATUS TO GENERATE AN AUGMENTED ENVIRONMENT INCLUDING AWEIGHT INDICATOR FOR A VEHICLE,” which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/191,134, filed on Nov. 14, 2018 and entitled“METHODS AND APPARATUS TO GENERATE AN AUGMENTED ENVIRONMENT INCLUDING AWEIGHT INDICATOR FOR A VEHICLE,” which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/497,317, which was filed onOct. 15, 2018. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/191,134, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/955,437, and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/497,317 are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to vehicle loads and, moreparticularly, to methods and apparatus to generate an augmentedenvironment including a weight indicator for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

All vehicles have a maximum limit on a load the front and rear axles canwithstand. In some examples, each axle has a gross axle weight rating(GAWR) that corresponds to the maximum load that may be supported by theaxle. Additionally, weight can be poorly distributed on/in the vehicle.If an axle of the vehicle is overloaded or the vehicle is unbalanced,the vehicle may not perform to customer expectations. In some examples,a vehicle may be misloaded if a particular axle or suspension assemblyis bearing a disproportionate amount of the total load on the vehicle.Loading issues can often be corrected by redistributing objects (e.g.,cargo, passengers, etc.) to different sections of the vehicle.

Mobile devices (e.g., smart phones, headsets, etc.) can now supportaugmented reality (AR) technology that allows virtual information toaugment live video data captured by the mobile device. Augmented realitytechnology can add and/or remove information from the video data as thevideo data is presented to user (e.g., by the display of the mobiledevice). In some examples, AR technology can allow information to beintuitively presented to a user by overlaying relevant virtualinformation onto video of a physical environment in real-time.

SUMMARY

An example apparatus disclosed herein includes memory including storedinstructions, a processor to execute the instructions to generate a mapof loads on a vehicle based on load data associated with a sensor of thevehicle, determine a load condition of the vehicle based on the map ofloads, correlate a first load of the map of loads with an objectidentified using live video data received from a camera, and generate anaugmented environment identifying at least one of a location of theobject, the first load correlated with the object, or the loadcondition.

An example method disclosed herein includes generating a map of loads ona vehicle based on load data associated with a sensor of the vehicle,determining a load condition of the vehicle based on the map of loads,correlating a first load of the map of loads with an object identifiedusing live video data received from a camera, and generating anaugmented environment identifying at least one of a location of theobject, the first load correlated with the object, or the loadcondition.

An example non-transitory computer readable medium disclosed hereinincludes instructions, which, when executed cause a processor togenerate a map of loads on a vehicle based on load data associated witha sensor of the vehicle, determine a load condition of the vehicle basedon the map of loads, correlate a first load of the map of loads with anobject identified using live video data received from a camera, andgenerate an augmented environment identifying at least one of a locationof the object, the first load correlated with the object, or the loadcondition.

An example method of indicating the loading of a vehicle disclosedherein includes generating a map of loads on a vehicle based on loaddata associated with a sensor of the vehicle, determining the loadcondition of the vehicle based on the map of loads by comparing a loadon the vehicle to a first load threshold, the load determined based onthe load data, generating an augmented environment identifying the loadcondition, and controlling an external light of the vehicle based on thecomparison of the load to the load threshold to indicate the loadcondition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an environment of an example vehicle load managerthat can be used with an example vehicle with which the examplesdisclosed herein can be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the vehicle load condition managerof FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is an example illustration of a vehicle and an example augmentedreality environment generated by the vehicle load manager 102 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is another example illustration of a vehicle and an exampleaugmented reality environment generated by the vehicle load manager 102of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representative of machine readable instructionsthat may be executed to implement the vehicle load condition manager ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the vehicle of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a view of an example light in accordance with examplesdisclosed herein.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example indicator system in accordancewith the teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 9A illustrates example trailer monitoring and light control thatmay be implemented in examples disclosed herein.

FIG. 9B is a detailed partial-view of the example vehicle of FIG. 1showing an example hitch.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate example vehicle monitoring and lightcontrol that may be implemented in examples disclosed herein.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are flow diagrams of example methods that may beexecuted to implement the example indicator system of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an example processor platform structuredto execute instructions to carry out the example methods of FIGS. 5, 11,and 12 and/or, more generally, to implement the vehicle load conditionmanager of FIG. 2 and the example indicator system of FIG. 8 .

The figures are not to scale. In general, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying writtendescription to refer to the same or like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Misloading a vehicle can affect the performance of the vehicle. As usedherein, the phrase “misloading a vehicle” and all variations thereof,refers to distributing objects on/in a vehicle in such a manner thatadversely affects the performance of the vehicle, and can, for example,include exceeding the GAWR of one or both axles, exceeding a weightrating of a suspension assembly, unbalancing a weight distributionassociated with the vehicle, etc. In some examples, redistributing theload (passengers, cargo, etc.) on a vehicle can alleviate some or allproblems caused by misloading a vehicle. In other examples, removing aload from the vehicle can be required. Traditional means of displayingthis information to a user (e.g., a warning light of the dashboard,etc.) may not be intuitive or provide sufficient information for a userto quickly and effectively understand and then correct a loading issue.This lack of intuitiveness or information may lead to a misloadedvehicle. As used herein, the phrase “overloading a vehicle” and allvariations thereof, refers to a type of vehicle misloading in which theload on the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold (e.g., the GAWR ofone or both axles, a total vehicle weight rating, etc.).

Methods and apparatus disclosed herein combine load data collected byvehicle sensors and live video data to generate an augmented realityenvironment including the loading condition of a vehicle and weightsborne by components of the vehicle. As used herein, the phrase“augmented reality environment” (also referred to herein as an“augmented environment”) is a virtual environment that includes arepresentation of a physical space (e.g., captured by a video camera) onwhich computer-generated perceptual information is overlaid (e.g.,virtual objects are added, physical objects are hidden, etc.). In someexamples disclosed herein, objects on/in the vehicle are identified andcorrelated to load data detected by vehicle sensor(s). In some examplesdisclosed herein, a map of object shapes, positions, and loads isgenerated. In some examples disclosed herein, guidance in the form ofvisual instructions are displayed in the augmented reality environmentto indicate how objects can be positioned to properly load the vehicle.

In some examples disclosed herein, a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone,a headset, etc.) with a camera can be used to scan a vehicle todetermine what objects are on/in the vehicle. In this example, themobile device can detect a visual anchor on the vehicle to determine theposition of identified objects relative to the visual anchor. As usedherein, a visual anchor is a visually identifiable feature at a fixedlocation on a vehicle that can be used to reference the locations ofobjects in/on the vehicle. In other examples disclosed herein, a cameraintegral with the vehicle (e.g., a camera mounted above a bed of atruck) can be used to identify an object loaded in a specific area ofthe vehicle (e.g., a truck bed). In some examples, machine visiontechniques can be used to identify objects. In some examples disclosedherein, the augmented reality environment can be displayed on a displayintegral with the vehicle. In other examples disclosed herein, theaugmented reality environment can be presented on a display of themobile device.

Some known vehicle monitoring systems monitor a load imparted on avehicle hitch (sometimes referred to as tongue ball weight) by a trailerto inform a driver whether contents of the trailer are properlypositioned thereon via a display of a smartphone or a display disposedin the vehicle. Other known vehicle monitoring systems monitor a weightof a vehicle and similarly inform, via the display(s), the driverwhether the weight exceeds a weight limit of the vehicle. In thismanner, the driver can load the trailer and/or the vehicle withoutassistance from another person. However, these known vehicle monitoringsystems can impede the driver from properly loading the trailer and/orthe vehicle by requiring the driver to frequently view a display.

Indicator apparatus and related methods for use with vehicles aredisclosed herein. Examples disclosed herein assist a person (e.g., adriver, a passenger, vehicle servicer personnel, etc.) in properlyloading a vehicle and/or a trailer associated therewith without aid fromanother person. Some disclosed examples provide an example vehiclecontroller (e.g., an electronic control unit (ECU)) communicativelycoupled to an example light (e.g., a taillight, a headlight, a thirdbrake light, side marker, etc.). In particular, the controller directsthe light to generate predetermined visual indicators that inform theperson when the trailer and/or the vehicle is properly loaded during aloading event. To determine a visual characteristic for the light, theexample controller determines the load condition of the vehicle bycomparing detected loads (e.g., loads corresponding to a tongue ballweight and/or a vehicle weight) associated with the vehicle to one ormore example thresholds (e.g., values corresponding to a proportion of atrailer weight and/or a weight limit of the vehicle). Additionally, insome examples, the controller monitors loads for changes therein and, inresponse, changes or adjusts the visual characteristic of the light tofacilitate load adjustments by the person.

In some disclosed examples, when loading the trailer, the controllerdetermines an example load imparted on a hitch by a trailer tongue viaone or more sensors (e.g., a load sensor operatively coupled to thehitch and/or a vehicle axle) and compares the load to an examplethreshold load (e.g., a predetermined and/or calculated valuecorresponding to a proportion (e.g., between about 10% and about 25%) ofthe trailer weight). Based on the comparison, the example controllergenerates, via the light, a predetermined visual indicator via tovisually indicate to the person loading the trailer a load status (e.g.,properly or improperly loaded) of the trailer and/or a degree to whichweight of the trailer is improperly distributed.

In some examples, the controller enables the light to blink (i.e.,activate and deactivate) at a predetermined rate or frequency based onthe load condition and/or a magnitude of the load relative to amagnitude of the threshold load. In such examples, the frequency atwhich the light blinks can visually indicate the degree to which thetrailer is improperly loaded or to indicate the relative magnitude ofavailable weight remaining to reach the threshold magnitude.

As the person positions and/or adjusts contents on the trailer, theexample controller changes or adjusts a visual characteristic of theexample light based on a change in the load imparted on the hitch,thereby visually informing the person of a change in the trailer loadand/or a distribution thereof. In this manner, disclosed examplesvisually indicate to the person whether the weight distribution of thetrailer is improving. For example, the controller increases or decreasesthe frequency at which the light blinks in response to changes in theload. Additionally, in some examples, the controller can cause the lightto cease blinking (e.g., maintain brightness thereof or deactivate) inresponse to the load satisfying the threshold load, which may visuallyindicate that the trailer is properly loaded for towing by the vehicle.

In some examples, to similarly indicate when the trailer is properlyloaded and/or the degree to which the trailer is improperly loaded, thecontroller generates one or more predetermined colors. For example, afirst predetermined color (e.g., red) may visually indicate the loadimparted on the hitch is below the threshold load. In some examples, asecond predetermined color (e.g., yellow) may visually indicate the loadimparted on the hitch is proximate to the threshold load. In someexamples, a third predetermined color (e.g., green) may visuallyindicate the load satisfies the threshold load (i.e., the trailer isproperly loaded).

In such examples, as the person positions and/or adjusts the contents onthe trailer, the controller enables the light to change between thepredetermined colors in response to load changes. In particular, thecontroller can change the colors of the light in accordance with one ormore predetermined color sequences (e.g., stored in a memory of thecontroller). For example, as the load approaches and satisfies thethreshold load, the color of the light changes consecutively from red,to yellow, and then to green (i.e., a first example predetermined colorsequence).

Further, some disclosed examples provide an example mobile device (e.g.,a smartphone) communicatively coupled to the controller. In particular,the mobile device enables the person to remotely monitor the loadimparted on the hitch when towing the trailer via the vehicle. Moreparticularly, the controller directs the mobile device to generate awarning and/or a notification in response to the load not satisfying thethreshold load (e.g., resulting from changes in trailer weightdistribution).

In some disclosed examples, when loading the vehicle, the controllerdetermines the load condition of the vehicle and/or a weight of thevehicle via one or more sensors (e.g., a load sensor operatively coupledto a vehicle axle, a ride height sensor, etc.) and compares the weightto an example threshold weight (e.g., a predetermined valuecorresponding to a weight limit of the vehicle). Based on thecomparison, the example controller generates a predetermined visualindicator via the light to visually indicate to the person loading thevehicle a load status of the vehicle (e.g., properly or improperlyloaded) and/or a degree to which the vehicle is loaded below or above aweight limit thereof.

In some examples, the controller generates one or more of the examplepredetermined colors via the light based on a magnitude of the detectedweight relative to a magnitude of the threshold weight. For example, thefirst predetermined color (e.g., red) may visually indicate that thevehicle weight is at or above the weight limit. In some examples, thesecond predetermined color (e.g., yellow) may visually indicate that thevehicle weight is proximate to the weight limit. In some examples, thethird predetermined color (e.g., green) may visually indicate that thevehicle weight is sufficiently below the weight limit. Further, in someexamples, the controller enables at least a portion of the example lightto blink (e.g., at a predetermined frequency) in response to the vehicleweight significantly exceeding the weight limit.

As the person increases or decreases weight carried by the vehicle, theexample controller changes or adjusts a visual characteristic of theexample light based on a change in the vehicle weight, thereby visuallyinforming the person of a change in the vehicle load and/or adistribution thereof. In some examples, the controller enables theexample light to change between generating the predetermined colors inaccordance with one or more predetermined color sequence (e.g., storedin a memory of the controller). For example, as the vehicle weightapproaches and exceeds the threshold weight, the color of the lightchanges consecutively from green, to yellow, and then to red (i.e., asecond example predetermined color sequence).

In some disclosed examples, as discussed in greater detail below inconnection with FIG. 7 , the example light is implemented with multiplelights sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs), light bulbs, etc.)that form visual patterns, which facilitate visual inspection by theperson when loading the trailer and/or the vehicle. In particular, theexample controller generates a predetermined visual pattern via thelight based on a magnitude of the vehicle weight relative to themagnitude of the threshold weight. Similarly, in some examples, thecontroller generates the predetermined visual pattern based on themagnitude of the load imparted on the hitch relative to the magnitude ofthe threshold load.

Further, in such examples, the example controller enables the lightsources to change between predetermined visual patterns in response toload changes. In some examples, the controller consecutively powers oractivates the light sources. Conversely, in some examples, thecontroller can consecutively deactivate the light sources. In someexamples, the controller enables at least some of the light sources toblink.

Additionally or alternatively, some disclosed examples provide audibleindicators to similarly assist the person in loading the trailer and/orthe vehicle. In particular, the controller directs a sound source (e.g.,a horn, a transducer (sometimes referred to as a chime), etc.) of thevehicle to generate a predetermined audible indicator to inform theperson when the trailer and/or the vehicle is/are properly loaded. Forexample, the controller can generate, at a predetermined rate orfrequency, sound via the sound source. Stated differently, the examplecontroller can periodically activate and deactivate the sound source.Further, in such examples, the controller changes or adjusts an audiblecharacteristic of the sound based on detected load or weight changes.For example, the controller increases or decreases the frequency atwhich the sound source generates sound. In some examples, the controllerceases activating and deactivating the sound source (e.g., maintains avolume thereof or deactivates) in connection with satisfaction of anexample threshold.

In addition or alternatively to indicating the above disclosed statusesof the trailer and/or the vehicle to the person, some disclosed examplesvisually and/or audibly indicate one or more other statuses of thevehicle. In such examples, which will be discussed in greater detailbelow, the vehicle controller similarly controls the example lightand/or the example sound source based on sensor data corresponding toone or more other detected and/or measured parameters (e.g., atemperature, a fluid pressure, a volume or sound intensity (e.g., adecibel), a position of a motor and/or an actuator (e.g., associatedwith a vehicle window), an electrical current, a voltage, etc.)associated with the vehicle to visually indicate the same to a personexternal to the vehicle.

FIG. 1 illustrates an environment 100 of an example vehicle load manager102 that can be used with an example vehicle 104 with which the examplesdisclosed herein can be implemented. The vehicle 104 includes one ormore example wheel and suspension assemblies 105, one or more exampleweight sensor(s) 106, an example trailer hitch 109, an example trailerweight sensor 110, and an example camera 122. In some examples, thevehicle load manager 102 can output information to an example display114 and/or output information to an example mobile device 120 via anexample network 118. In the illustrated example, the vehicle 104 is aconsumer automobile. In other examples, the vehicle 104 can be acommercial truck, a motorcycle, a motorized cart, an all-terrainvehicle, a bus, a motorized scooter, a locomotive, or any other vehicle.

The example vehicle load manager 102 enables the generation of anaugmented reality environment to guide a user to properly load thevehicle 104. For example, the vehicle load manager 102 can receiveinformation from sensors (e.g., the weight sensor(s) 106, the trailerweight sensor 110, etc.), process the data, and output an augmentedreality environment (e.g., to the display 114 or an example display 124of the mobile device 120). In some examples, the vehicle load manager102 can additionally receive live video data from a camera of the mobiledevice 120 and/or the example camera 122. In some examples, the vehicleload manager 102 can further generate guidance to be presented to theuser to instruct the user how to redistribute the load on the vehicle104. The example camera 122 can be, for example, mounted in a centerhigh mounted stop light (CHMSL) of the vehicle (e.g., the brake lightindicator above the rear window of a truck bed, etc.).

In some examples, one or more of the wheel and suspension assemblies 105can be coupled via an axle (e.g., a front axle, a rear axle, etc.).Additionally, one or more of the wheel and suspension assemblies 105 caninclude a weight sensor 106 (e.g., an axle load sensor). In someexamples, the weight sensors 106 are ride height sensors that measurethe compression of specific ones of the wheel and suspension assemblies105 (e.g., a deflection of an elastic element of the wheel andsuspension assembly 105), from which load information can be derived. Inother examples, the weight sensors 106 can be transducers capable ofconverting load information into an electrical signal to be received bythe vehicle load manager 102.

In the illustrated example, the vehicle 104 can tow a trailer coupled tothe vehicle 104 via the trailer hitch 109. A trailer may exert a load onthe vehicle 104, which can be measured by the example trailer weightsensor 110. In some examples, the trailer weight sensor 110 can beintegrated into the trailer hitch 109. In some examples, the trailerweight sensor 110 is a force sensor (e.g., a magnetoelastic sensor, aload cell, a strain gauge, an accelerometer, etc.) capable of measuringforces and/or moments at the trailer hitch 109. In some examples, thetrailer weight sensor 110 measures the load corresponding to the one ormore loads exerted on the vehicle 104 by a towed trailer (e.g., totalload of the trailer, tongue, etc.).

In some examples, the display 114 can present a user of the vehicle 104with an augmented reality environment produced by the vehicle loadmanager 102. In these examples, the display 114 can display an augmentedreality environment including one or more instructions, load conditionsof the vehicle 104, and/or weight indications (e.g., how much load isapplied to an axle or the wheel and suspension assembly 105).

In some examples, the vehicle load manager 102 is connected to thenetwork 118. For example, the network 118 can be a WiFi network or aBlueTooth® network. In other examples, the network 118 can beimplemented by any suitable wired and/or wireless network(s) including,for example, one or more data buses, one or more Local Area Networks(LANs), one or more wireless LANs, one or more cellular networks, one ormore public networks, etc. The example network 118 enables the examplevehicle load manager 102 to be in communication with devices external tothe vehicle 104 (e.g., the mobile device 120). As used herein, thephrase “in communication,” including variances thereof, encompassesdirect communication and/or indirect communication through one or moreintermediary components and does not require direct physical (e.g.,wired) communication and/or constant communication but, rather, includesselective communication at periodic or aperiodic intervals, as well asone-time events.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , the example mobile device 120includes a camera and an example display 124. The example mobile device120 can be one of or a combination of a smart phone, a tablet, a smartwatch, a VR/AR headset, smart glasses, etc. In the illustrated example,the mobile device 120 communicates with the vehicle load manager 102 viathe network 118. In other examples, the mobile device 120 can beconnected to the vehicle load manager 102 via a wired connection.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the vehicle load manager 102 of FIG.1 . The example vehicle load manager 102 includes an example sensorinterface 202, an example load mapper 204, an example object identifier206, an example object-to-weight correlator 208, an example conditiondeterminer 210, an example guidance generator 212 and an exampleaugmented reality generator 214. The vehicle load manager 102 can beimplemented fully on the vehicle 104, fully on the mobile device 120 orany combination thereof.

The example sensor interface 202 receives sensor data from the sensorsof the example vehicle 104. For example, the sensor interface 202 canreceive input from one or more of the example weight sensors 106 of FIG.1 , the example trailer weight sensor 110 of FIG. 1 , and/or any othersensors (e.g., a fuel level sensor, an engine speed sensor, a vehiclespeed sensor, etc.). In some examples, the sensor interface 202 canreceive live video data from the mobile device 120. In some examples,the sensor interface 202 distributes received sensor data to at leastone of the load mapper 204, the object identifier 206, and/or theaugmented reality generator 214. For example, the sensor interface 202can distribute load data (e.g., data received from the weight sensors106 or trailer weight sensor 110) to the load mapper 204.

The example load mapper 204 determines a map of the loads on the vehicle104. For example, the load mapper 204 can analyze the sensor datadistributed by the sensor interface 202 to determine the location andweight of objects on/in the vehicle 104. For example, the load mapper204 can analyze the sensor data to determine that an object weighing 85pounds is placed on the passenger seat of the vehicle 104. In someexamples, the load mapper 204 can generate a visual representation ofthe vehicle 104 with the additional loads on the vehicle 104.

The example object identifier 206 reviews the data distributed by thesensor interface 202 to determine the location of objects loading thevehicle 104. For example, the object identifier 206 can analyze livevideo data from the mobile device 120 and/or the camera 122 to visuallyidentify an object on/in the vehicle 104. In some examples, the objectidentifier 206 can identify a visual anchor to create a reference pointon the vehicle 104 to reference the location of the identified objects.In other examples, if the camera 122 is fixed to the vehicle 104, theobject identifier 206 can compare the live video data to an image of thevehicle 104 without objects to identify objects in the live video data.In some examples, the object identifier 206 can use machine learningalgorithms to identify and locate visual objects. In some examples, theobject identifier 206 can use machine vision techniques (e.g., patternrecognition, edge detection, color detection, keypoint mapping, imagehistogram, etc.).

The example object-to-weight correlator 208 correlates the load mapgenerated by the load mapper 204 to the objects identified by the objectidentifier 206. For example, the object-to-weight correlator 208 canassociate a load in the bed of a vehicle 104 with an object identifiedby the object identifier 206 in the same location (e.g., tag theidentified object with the corresponding load, etc.). In some examples,the object-to-weight correlator 208 can generate a map of shapes, loads,and positions of the object(s) on/in the vehicle 104 based on the loadmap and identified objects.

The example condition determiner 210 analyzes the load map generated bythe load mapper 204 and/or sensor data for the sensor interface 202 todetermine the load condition of the vehicle 104. For example, thecondition determiner 210 can determine if the load map indicates thatthe vehicle 104 is overloaded. In other examples, the conditiondeterminer 210 can determine if a GAWR of the vehicle 104 has beenexceeded. In other examples, the condition determiner 210 can determinethat vehicle 104 is not misloaded. In some examples, the conditiondeterminer 210 can determine whether rearranging the objects on/in thevehicle 104 would alleviate an adverse load condition(s) of the vehicle104.

The example guidance generator 212 generates instructions toredistribute loads on the vehicle 104 to improve the load condition ofthe vehicle 104. For example, the guidance generator 212 can determinethat an object in the bed of the vehicle 104 should be moved to adifferent location in the bed to better distribute the load on thevehicle 104. In some examples, the guidance generator 212 can generatean instruction that indicates the location and/or direction the objectshould be moved to correct the loading condition. In some examples, theguidance generator 212 can generate an instruction to guide the user toremove objects on/in the vehicle 104. In other examples, if the vehicle104 is properly loaded (e.g., not misloaded), the guidance generator 212does not generate instructions. In some such examples, the guidancegenerator 212 can generate an indication that the vehicle 104 isproperly loaded. In some examples, the guidance generator 212 cangenerate instructions even if the vehicle 104 is properly loaded.

The example augmented reality generator 214 generates an augmentedreality environment based on the data received by the sensor interface202, the object-to-weight correlator 208, and the guidance generator212. The example augmented reality generator 214 generates an augmentedreality environment to be presented via the display 114 and/or themobile device 120. The augmented reality generator 214 can, for example,create a visual indication of the load on each of the wheel andsuspension assemblies 105 and/or axles of the vehicle 104. In someexamples, the augmented reality generator 214 can generate a warning ifthe vehicle 104 is misloaded. In some examples, the augmented realitygenerator 214 can present a guidance instruction based on the input fromthe guidance generator 212 (e.g., instructions 314 of FIG. 3 , theinstructions 410 of FIG. 4 , etc.). In some examples, the augmentedreality generator 214 can update the augmented reality environment inreal-time as the objects in the vehicle 104 are moved by a user. Inother examples, the augmented reality generator 214 can update thegenerated augmented reality environment periodically at a predeterminedinterval or in response to a request from a user.

While an example manner of implementing the vehicle load manager 102 ofFIG. 1 is illustrated in FIG. 2 , one or more of the elements,processes, and/or devices illustrated in FIG. 2 may be combined,divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminated, and/or implemented in anyother way. Further, the example sensor interface 202, the example loadmapper 204, the example object identifier 206, the exampleobject-to-weight correlator 208, the example condition determiner 210,the example guidance generator 212, the example augmented realitygenerator 214, and/or, more generally, the example vehicle load manager102 of FIG. 3 may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, and/orany combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Thus, forexample, any of the example sensor interface 202, the example loadmapper 204, the example object identifier 206, the exampleobject-to-weight correlator 208, the example condition determiner 210,the example guidance generator 212, the example augmented realitygenerator 214, and/or, more generally, the example vehicle load manager102 could be implemented by one or more analog or digital circuit(s),logic circuits, programmable processor(s), programmable controller(s),graphics processing unit(s) (GPU(s)), digital signal processor(s)(DSP(s)), application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)),programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)), and/or field programmable logicdevice(s) (FPLD(s)). When reading any of the apparatus or system claimsof this patent to cover a purely software and/or firmwareimplementation, at least one of the example, sensor interface 202, theexample load mapper 204, the example object identifier 206, the exampleobject-to-weight correlator 208, the example condition determiner 210,the example guidance generator 212, the example augmented realitygenerator 214 is/are hereby expressly defined to include anon-transitory computer readable storage device or storage disk such asa memory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a Blu-raydisk, etc., including the software and/or firmware. Further still, theexample vehicle load manager 102 of FIG. 1 may include one or moreelements, processes, and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, thoseillustrated in FIG. 2 , and/or may include more than one of any or allof the illustrated elements, processes, and devices. As used herein, thephrase “in communication,” including variations thereof, encompassesdirect communication and/or indirect communication through one or moreintermediary components, and does not require direct physical (e.g.,wired) communication and/or constant communication, but ratheradditionally includes selective communication at periodic intervals,scheduled intervals, aperiodic intervals, and/or one-time events.

FIG. 3 is an example illustration 300 of the vehicle 104 including andan example augmented reality environment generated by the vehicle loadmanager 102. The example illustration 300 includes the example vehicle104 of FIG. 1 , an example object 302, and an example visual anchor 304.The example illustration 300 further includes the example mobile device120 with an example display 306 displaying an example augmented realityenvironment 308 generated by the vehicle load manager 102. The exampleaugmented reality environment 308 includes an example warning 310, anexample front axle weight indicator 312A, an example rear axle weightindicator 312B and an example instruction 314. While an example of thegraphical user interface of the augmented reality environment 308 isillustrated in FIG. 3 , any other suitable graphical user interface maybe used to represent the augmented reality environment 308 and/or theoutput of the vehicle load manager 102.

The example vehicle 104 is loaded by the object 302. In the illustratedexample, the object 302 is loaded in the bed of the vehicle 104. Inother examples, the object 302 may be on/in any other location of thevehicle 104. In the illustrated example, the load associated with theobject 302 exceeds the GAWR of the rear axle of the vehicle 104, whichcauses the vehicle 104 to be misloaded. In some examples, the vehicleload manager 102 detects the location, shape, and load associated withthe example object 302. In some examples, a camera associated with themobile device 120 and/or the camera 122 scans the object 302 such thatthe vehicle load manager 102 can identify the object 302.

In the illustrated example, a user of the mobile device 120 scans thevisual anchor 304 with the mobile device 120 (e.g., captures the visualanchor 304 in the video data generated by the mobile device 120) toallow the physical location(s) of the object 302 to be determined by thevehicle load manager 102. In the illustrated example, the visual anchor304 is a handle of a front driver door of the vehicle 104. In otherexamples, the visual anchor 304 may be any other visually identifiablefeature of the vehicle 104 (e.g., a hubcap, the fuel door, etc.). Insome examples, the visual anchor 304 may be a sticker and/or othervisual feature placed on the vehicle 104 by a user. In some examples, ifthe visual anchor 304 is not detected by the mobile device 120, theaugmented reality environment 308 can include an instruction to the userto continue scanning the vehicle 104 until the visual anchor 304 isidentified by the vehicle load manager 102. In the illustrated example,the vehicle 104 includes only the visual anchor 304. In other examples,the vehicle 104 can include any number of anchors in addition to thevisual anchor 304.

In the illustrated example, the augmented reality environment 308 isgenerated based on live video data captured by a camera of the mobiledevice 120 with the output of the vehicle load manager 102. That is, asthe live video data is presented via the display of the mobile device120, the live video data is being augmented by the vehicle load manager102. In some examples, the augmented reality environment 308 is updatedin real time based on the video data captured by the mobile device 120and changes to the load condition of the vehicle 104 (e.g., caused by auser adjusting the position of the object 302, etc.).

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3 , the warning 310 includes the textthe “rear axle overloaded,” indicating a GAWR of the rear axle has beenexceeded. In some examples, the warning 310 can illustrate the output ofthe condition determiner 210. In other examples, the warning 310 mayrepresent any other potentially adverse loading condition(s) of thevehicle 104 (e.g., the front axle is overload, the load is unbalanced,etc.). In other examples where there is no adverse loading condition onthe vehicle 104, the warning 310 may be absent. In this example, theaugmented reality environment 308 may further include an indication thatthe vehicle 104 is properly loaded.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3 , the front axle weight indicator312A is a rectangle underneath the front axle of the vehicle 104 in theaugmented reality environment 308 and indicates the front axle is loadedwith 2,955 lbs. Similarly, in the illustrated example, the rear axleweight indicator 312B is a rectangle underneath the rear axle of thevehicle 104 in the augmented reality environment 308 and indicates therear axle is loaded with 4,630 lbs. In other examples, the front axleweight indicators 312A and the rear axle weight indicator 312B can beplaced in any suitable location in the augmented reality environment 308to indicate the load on the front and/or rear axles. In other examples,the front axle weight indicator 312A and/or the rear axle weightindicator 312B may include an audio notification to the user. In someexamples, each wheel and suspension assembly 105 can have individualweight indicators (e.g., an indicator for the forward driver wheel andsuspension assembly 105, an indicator for the forward passenger wheeland suspension assembly 105, etc.).

In the illustrated example, the instruction 314 includes the text “moveload forward” and an arrow pointing to the front of the vehicle 104. Inother examples, the instruction 314 can be in any other suitablelocation to indicate that the object 302 should be moved forwardrelative to the vehicle 104. In some examples, the instruction 314 caninclude a specific distance and direction to move the object 302. Insome examples, the instruction 314 does not include text. In someexamples, the instruction 314 may include any other visualrepresentation to indicate how the load on the vehicle 104 should beredistributed (e.g., a line, a visual representation of the object 302in the correct location, etc.). In some examples, the instruction 314may include a non-visual notification to the user (e.g., an audionotification, a vibration, etc.).

FIG. 4 is another example illustration 400 of the vehicle 104 and anexample augmented reality environment 402 generated by the vehicle loadmanager 102 of FIG. 1 . In the illustrated example, the augmentedreality environment 402 is displayed via the display 114 of FIG. 1 andis generated based on the output the vehicle load manager 102 and livevideo data gathered by the camera 122 of FIG. 1 . That is, as the livevideo data is presented via the display of the display 114, the livevideo data is being augmented by vehicle load manager 102. The examplevehicle 104 further includes an example bed 403 holding an example firstobject 406A and an example second object 406B. The augmented realityenvironment 402 includes an example first weight indication 408A, anexample second weight indication 408B, an example warning 404, andexample instructions 410. In some examples, the augmented realityenvironment 402 is updated in real time based on the live video datacaptured by the camera 122 and changes in the load condition of the bed403 (e.g., caused by a user adjusting the positions of the first object406A and/or the second object 406B, etc.).

In the illustrated example, the first object 406A is a portable coolerand the second object 406B is a traffic cone. In other examples, thefirst object 406A and the second object 406B can be any other objects.In some examples, the vehicle load manager 102 of FIG. 1 can determinethe load, shape, and position associated with both the first object 406Aand the second object 406B. In the illustrated example, the vehicle loadmanager 102 determines that the vehicle 104 is unbalanced and that thefirst object 406A should be moved to properly balance the vehicle 104.

In some examples, the warning 404 can display the output of thecondition determiner 210 of FIG. 2 . In the illustrated example of FIG.4 , the warning 404 includes the text “load adjustment recommended,”which indicates the vehicle 104 is unbalanced. In other examples, thewarning 404 can indicate any other potentially adverse loadingcondition(s) of the vehicle 104 (e.g., the front axle is overloaded,etc.). In other examples where there is no adverse loading condition onthe vehicle 104, the warning 404 may not be present in the augmentedreality environment 402. In this example, the augmented realityenvironment 402 can further display indication that the vehicle 104 isproperly loaded.

In the illustrated example, the instructions 410 is an arrow pointing tothe right with respect to the display 114 including the text “move 6”indicating the first object 406A is to be moved 6 inches to the right onthe vehicle 104 to properly balance the vehicle 104. In other examples,the instructions 410 can be in any suitable location and can include anysuitable text and/or visual representation (e.g., a line, a visualrepresentation of the first object 406A in the correct location, etc.).In some examples, the instructions 410 can include a non-visualnotification to the user (e.g., an audio notification, a vibration,etc.). In some examples, the instructions 410 can include multiple steps(e.g., moving both the first object 406A and the second object 406B).

A flowchart representative of example methods, hardware implementedstate machines, and/or any combination thereof for implementing thevehicle load manager 102 of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 5 . The method canbe implemented using machine readable instructions that may be anexecutable program or portion of an executable program for execution bya computer processor such as the processor 1312 shown in the exampleprocessor platform 1300 discussed below in connection with FIG. 13 . Theprogram may be embodied in software stored on a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, aDVD, a Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the processor 1312, butthe entire program and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executedby a device other than the processor 1312 and/or embodied in firmware ordedicated hardware. Further, although the example program is describedwith reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5 , many othermethods of implementing the example vehicle load manager 102 mayalternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocksmay be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed,eliminated, or combined. Additionally or alternatively, any or all ofthe blocks may be implemented by one or more hardware circuits (e.g.,discrete and/or integrated analog and/or digital circuitry, an FPGA, anASIC, a comparator, an operational-amplifier (op-amp), a logic circuit,etc4.) structured to perform the corresponding operation withoutexecuting software or firmware.

As mentioned above, the example method of FIG. 5 may be implementedusing executable instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readableinstructions) stored on a non-transitory computer and/or machinereadable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-onlymemory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, arandom-access memory, and/or any other storage device or storage disk inwhich information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended timeperiods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering,and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the termnon-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to includeany type of computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and toexclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media.

“Including” and “comprising” (and all forms and tenses thereof) are usedherein to be open ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim employs any formof “include” or “comprise” (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising,including, having, etc.) as a preamble or within a claim recitation ofany kind, it is to be understood that additional elements, terms, etc.may be present without falling outside the scope of the correspondingclaim or recitation. As used herein, when the phrase “at least” is usedas the transition term in, for example, a preamble of a claim, it isopen-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” and “including”are open ended. The term “and/or” when used, for example, in a form suchas A, B, and/or C refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C such as(1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A with B, (5) A with C, (6) Bwith C, and (7) A with B and with C.

The method 500 of FIG. 5 begins at block 502. At block 502, if thevehicle load manager 102 is enabled, the method 500 advances to block504. If the augmented vehicle load manager 102 is not enabled, themethod 500 ends. For example, the vehicle load manager 102 can beenabled by a user. In other examples, the vehicle load manager 102 canautomatically become enabled if the vehicle 104 is misloaded.

At block 504, the sensor interface 202 receives load data. For example,the sensor interface 202 can interface with one or more of the weightsensor(s) 106 associated with the wheel and suspension assemblies 105 ofthe vehicle 104. In some examples, the sensor interface 202 can furtherreceive load data from the trailer weight sensor 110 and/or any otherload sensors of the vehicles (e.g., load sensors associated with theseats of the vehicle 104). In some examples, the sensor interface 202can convert the received load data into a format (e.g., a digitalsignal, a bit-based value, etc.) processable by the vehicle load manager102. In some examples, the sensor interface 202 can distribute thereceived load data to any other elements of the vehicle load manager 102(e.g., load mapper 204, the object identifier 206, etc.).

At block 506, the sensor interface 202 receives auxiliary sensor dataand video data. For example, the sensor interface 202 can receive datafrom any other sensors on the vehicle 104 necessary to generate a loadmap of the vehicle (e.g., a fuel level sensor, etc.). In some examples,the sensor interface 202 can convert the received load(s) into a formatprocessable by the vehicle load manager 102. In some examples, thesensor interface 202 can receive live video data generated by the mobiledevice 120 and/or the camera 122. In some examples, the sensor interface202 can distribute the received auxiliary data and/or live video data toany other components of the vehicle load manager 102 (e.g., load mapper204, the object identifier 206, etc.). In some examples, the live videodata captures a visual anchor (e.g., the visual anchor 304 of FIG. 3 )and/or one or more objects in/on the vehicle 104.

At block 508, the load mapper 204 generates a load map of the vehicle104. For example, the load mapper 204 can analyze the load datadistributed by the sensor interface 202 to generate a map of loads onthe vehicle 104. In some examples, the load mapper 204 can generate avisual representation of the loads on the vehicle 104. At block 510, ifthe object identifier 206 identifies an anchor (e.g., the visual anchor304 of FIG. 3 ) on the vehicle 104 captured in the live video data, themethod 500 advances to block 514. If an anchor is not identified by theobject identifier 206, the method 500 advances to block 512.

At block 512, the object identifier 206 alerts the user to scan ananchor of the vehicle 104. For example, the object identifier 206 cangenerate an alert to be displayed (e.g., on a display of the mobiledevice 120, the display 114, etc.). In some examples, the objectidentifier 206 can augment the live video data to include an indicationto scan a visual anchor on the live video data. In some examples, theobject identifier 206 can issue a non-visual alert to the user (e.g.,vibrating the mobile device, an audible message, etc.). For example, theobject identifier 206 may alert the user to reposition the cameragenerating the live video data to better capture the visual anchor 304.

At block 514, the object identifier 206 identifies objects in the livevideo data. For example, the object identifier 206 can process the livevideo data received by the sensor interface 202 to identify objectson/in the vehicle 104. In some examples, the object identifier 206 canidentify the locations of identified objects relative to the visualanchor 304.

At block 516, the object-to-weight correlator 208 correlates thedetected objects with the load map. For example, the object-to-weightcorrelator 208 can associated identified objects (e.g., identified bythe object identifier 206) with the load map (e.g., generated by theload mapper 204) in a nearby position. In some examples, theobject-to-weight correlator 208 generates a visual map of the load,shape, and position of objects on/in the vehicle 104.

At block 518, the condition determiner 210 determines if loadingguidance is required. For example, the condition determiner 210 candetermine if the vehicle 104 is misloaded. In some examples, conditiondeterminer 210 can determine if the vehicle 104 is not optimally loaded.In some examples, the condition determiner 210 can transmit thedetermined condition to the augmented reality generator 214. If thecondition determiner 210 determines that loading guidance is required,the method 500 advances to block 520. If the condition determiner 210determines that loading guidance is not needed, the method 500 advancesto block 520.

At block 520, the guidance generator 212 generates loading guidance. Forexample, the guidance generator 212 can determine that the objects inand/or on the vehicle 104 should be rearranged to correctly load thevehicle 104. In some examples, the guidance generator 212 can determinethat objects should be removed from the vehicle 104. In some examples,the guidance generator 212 can indicate the location and distance aspecific object in/on the vehicle 104 should be moved to alleviateadverse loading conditions. Additionally or alternatively, the guidancegenerator 212 can generate a visual representation (e.g., an arrowincluding text) indicating how one or more objects should be rearrangedon the vehicle 104.

At block 522, the augmented reality generator 214 generates an augmentedreality environment. For example, the augmented reality generator 214can combine the visual map generated by the object-to-weight correlator208 with the live video data (e.g., presented on the mobile device 120and/or the camera 122). In some examples, the augmented realitygenerator 214 can generate weight indicators to identify the weight ofobjects on/in the vehicle 104 (e.g., the weight indicators 408A and 408Bof FIG. 4 ). In some examples, the augmented reality generator 214 cangenerate an indication of a load carried by the front axle or rear axleof the vehicle 104 (e.g., the weight indicators 312A and 312B). In someexamples, the augmented reality generator 214 can generate an indicationof the load carried by each of the wheel and suspension assemblies 105of FIG. 1 .

At block 524, the condition determiner 210 determines if additionalloading guidance is required. For example, the condition determiner 210can evaluate a new map generated by the object-to-weight correlator 208to determine if the vehicle 104 is misloaded. In other examples, thecondition determiner can process the live video data to determine if auser has followed the guidance generated by the guidance generator 212.If the loading condition has been resolved, the method 500 ends. Ifadditional loading guidance is required, the method 500 returns to block522 to generate new loading guidance.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the first vehicle 104 of FIG. 1 . The examplefirst vehicle 104 includes one or more example vehicle lights (e.g.,headlights, taillights, etc.) 602, 604 (i.e., a first example vehiclelight 602 and a second example vehicle light 604), an example horn 606,an example hitch 608, one or more example sensors 610, and an examplevehicle controller 612.

In some examples, to implement towing for the first vehicle 104, theexample hitch 608 is coupled to the first vehicle 104. In particular,the hitch 608 of FIG. 1 is to receive and/or movably couple to at leasta portion of a trailer (e.g., a trailer tongue), as discussed furtherbelow in connection with FIGS. 9A and 9B. While the example of FIG. 6depicts the hitch 608 as being a drawbar hitch (sometimes referred to asa bumper pull hitch), in other examples, the first vehicle 104 may beimplemented with any other suitable hitch such as, for example, a weightdistributing hitch, a fifth wheel hitch, a gooseneck hitch, etc.Accordingly, in some examples, the hitch 608 may be disposed on adifferent portion of the first vehicle 104 such as in a vehicle bed 614.

The example controller 612 detects and/or monitors a load imparted onand/or associated with the hitch 608 via the sensor(s) 610 during atrailer loading event and, in response, controls one or more of theexample lights 602, 604 to visually assist a person in loading a trailerassociated with the first vehicle 104. Additionally or alternatively, insome examples, the example controller 612 detects and/or monitors aweight in the bed 614 of the first vehicle 104 via the sensor(s) 610during a vehicle loading event and, in response, controls one or more ofthe example lights 602, 604 to visually assist a person in loading thefirst vehicle 104. Further, in some examples, the controller 612 cansimilarly control the horn 606 and/or one or more other sound sourcesduring a loading event to audibly assist a person.

In some examples, the example controller 612 detects and/or monitors oneor more other parameters associated with the first vehicle 104 via thesensor(s) 610 in addition or alternatively to the hitch load and/or thevehicle weight, as discussed further below. In such examples, thecontroller 612 similarly controls one or more of the example lights 602,604 based on data received from the sensor(s) 610.

The controller 612 of the illustrated example can be implemented, forexample, using an electronic control unit (ECU). As such, the controller612 of FIG. 1 is communicatively coupled to one or more of the lights602, 604, the horn 606, and/or the sensor(s) 610, for example, via oneor more signal transmission wires or busses, radio frequency, etc.Additionally or alternatively, the controller 612 can implement or beimplemented by the vehicle load manager 102 of FIGS. 1 and 2 .

To measure and/or detect a load associated with first vehicle 104, thesensor(s) 610 of FIG. 6 can include, but is/are not limited to, a forceor load sensor (e.g., operatively coupled to a vehicle axle and/or thehitch 608), a strain gauge (e.g., operatively coupled to a vehicle axleand/or the hitch 608), a ride height sensor, and/or a tire pressuresensor (e.g., associated with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)).In some examples, the controller 612 detects, via the sensor(s) 610, oneor more loads corresponding to a tongue ball weight. In some examples,the controller 612 detects, via the sensor(s) 610, one or more loadscorresponding to a weight of the first vehicle 104. Further, in someexamples, to enable the controller 612 to measure and/or detect one ormore other vehicle parameters, the sensor(s) 610 of FIG. 6 can include,but is/are not limited to, a temperature sensor, a current sensor, avoltage sensor, a potentiometer, an optical sensor (e.g., a camera),and/or a distance or proximity sensor (e.g., an ultrasonic sensor, aninfrared sensor, etc.).

While the example of FIG. 6 , depicts the first example light 602 andthe second example light 604 as being taillights, in other examples, thefirst light 602 and/or the second light 604 may correspond to adifferent external light of the first vehicle 104 to provide a visualindication to a person external to the first vehicle 104 such as, forexample, a headlight, a side marker, etc. For example, as shown in theillustrated example of FIG. 6 , the controller 612 can communicate withand/or control an example third vehicle light 616 (sometimes referred toas a third brake light), which is disposed proximate an examplewindshield (e.g., a rear windshield) 618 of the first vehicle 104.

Further, in some examples, the controller 612 controls one or morelights that are separate from components of the first vehicle 104 suchas, for example, multiple light-emitting diodes disposed externallyrelative to the first vehicle 104. Thus, examples disclosed herein maybe implemented using one or more of the lights 602, 604, 616 of thefirst vehicle 104 and/or one or more lights separate from the firstvehicle 104.

In some examples, to enable a person to monitor remotely a status of thefirst vehicle 104 and/or a trailer associated therewith, the examplecontroller 612 communicates with the mobile device 120 such as, forexample, a smartphone. In particular, the display 124 of the mobiledevice 120 generates images for viewing by a user and/or a speaker ortransducer to generate sound. The example mobile device 120 alsoincludes one or more input devices (e.g., a touch screen, a keyboard, amicrophone, etc.) to receive user input and/or data.

Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the controller 612enables the light(s) 602, 604, 616 to visually indicate one or moreother statuses of the first vehicle 104, which may aid a person outsideof the vehicle 104. In some examples, the controller 612 enables thelight(s) 602, 604, 616 to visually indicate whether an example window(e.g., a passenger and/or a driver window) 624 of the first vehicle 104is open, closed, and/or a degree to which the window 624 is open. Insome examples, the controller 612 enables the light(s) 602, 604, 616 tovisually indicate whether an example door (e.g., a passenger and/or adriver door) 626 of the first vehicle 104 is open or closed. In someexamples, the controller 612 enables the light(s) 602, 604, 616 tovisually indicate whether an example lock (e.g., an electronic or powerdoor lock) 628 operatively coupled to the door 626 is locked orunlocked. In some examples, the controller 612 enables the light(s) 602,604, 616 to visually indicate whether a fuel door 630 of the firstvehicle 104 is open or closed. In some examples, the controller 612enables the light(s) 602, 604, 616 to visually indicate whether a fueltank of the first vehicle 104 is properly filled and/or a degree towhich the fuel tank is filled. In some examples, the controller 612enables the light(s) 602, 604, 616 to visually indicate whether anexample tire (e.g., a left and/or a rear tire) 632 of the first vehicle104 is properly filled or inflated and/or a degree to which the tire 632is inflated. In some examples, the controller 612 enables the light(s)602, 604, 616 to visually indicate an electrical power level of abattery (e.g., a 12-volt battery) of the first vehicle 104. In someexamples, the controller 612 enables the light(s) 602, 604, 616 tovisually indicate an electrical power level of a generator of thevehicle. In some examples, the controller 612 enables the light(s) 602,604, 616 to visually indicate a temperature of an engine of the firstvehicle 104. In some examples, the controller 612 enables the light(s)602, 604, 616 to visually indicate a temperature of a fluid (e.g., oil)in the engine. In some examples, the controller 612 enables the light(s)602, 604, 616 to visually indicate a temperature of another fluid (e.g.,air) in a cabin of the first vehicle 104.

In some such examples, the controller 612 implements control of thelight(s) 602, 604, 616 in response to user input to, for example, theexample mobile device 120, an electronic device disposed in the firstvehicle 104, one or more buttons and/or switches disposed in the firstvehicle 104, an electronic key fob communicatively coupled to thecontroller 612, etc. For example, a person activates or initiates asetting of the controller 612 and/or the first vehicle 104, therebyenabling the controller 612 to detect and/or monitor (e.g., continuouslyor repeatedly) the one or more parameters associated with the firstvehicle 104 and/or control the light(s) 602, 604, 616.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of an example fourth light 700 in accordancewith examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the example fourthlight 700 of the illustrated example corresponds to one or more lightsof the aforementioned first vehicle 104 of FIGS. 1 and 6 such as, forexample, the example first light 602, the example second light 604,and/or the example third light 616. According to the illustrated exampleof FIG. 7 , the fourth light 700 includes multiple light-emitting diodes(LEDs) 702 a-j, ten of which are shown in this example. In this example,the LEDs 702 a-j are disposed behind a lens 703 of the light 700. Inparticular, the LEDs 702 a-j of the illustrated example illuminatedifferent portions or areas 704 a-j of the fourth light 700, therebyforming a visual pattern to facilitate visual inspection of the fourthlight 700 by a person.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the LEDs 702 a-j of the illustrated example extendalong a substantially vertical direction. However, in other examples,the LEDs 702 a-j may have any other suitable orientation. For example,the LEDs 702 a-j may extend along a substantially horizontal directionand/or a curved path. Further, while the example LEDs 702 a-j of FIG. 2form a substantially rectangular array (e.g., having one column and tenrows), in other examples, the LEDs a-j may form an array that is larger,smaller, and/or shaped differently.

In some examples, the visual pattern formed by the LEDs 702 a-j ispredetermined and/or changes, for example, based on commands and/orpower provided from the aforementioned controller 612. In such examples,the controller 612 can change or adjust one or more visualcharacteristics of the pattern (e.g., in response to parameter changesmeasured by the example sensor(s) 610), as discussed further below inconnection with FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B. For example, the controller612 enables at least some of the LEDs 702 a-j to blink (i.e., activateand deactivate). In some examples, the controller 612 enables at leastsome of the LEDs 702 a-j to change color and/or intensity or brightness.In some examples, the controller 612 consecutively activates and/ordeactivates the LEDs 702 a-j in accordance with one or morepredetermined sequences (e.g., stored in a memory of the controller612). While the example of FIG. 7 depicts the example fourth light 700as being implemented with the LEDs 702 a-j, in other examples, thefourth light 700 may be implemented using one or more other suitablelight sources (e.g., one or more incandescent lights, fluorescentlights, etc.). Further, in some examples, the example LEDs 702 a-j maybe disposed on the first vehicle 104 (e.g., on an exterior surface ofthe first vehicle 104, behind the windshield 618, etc.).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example indicator system 800 inaccordance with the teachings of this disclosure. The example indicatorsystem 800 of FIG. 8 can be implemented by the example controller 612 ofFIG. 6 and/or the vehicle load manager 102 of FIG. 1 . The exampleindicator system 800 of FIG. 8 includes a light interface 802, a horninterface 803, a sensor interface 804, a database 806, a thresholdcalculator 808, a parameter analyzer 810, and an adjustment calculator812. In the example of FIG. 8 , the vehicle indicator system 800 iscommunicatively coupled to the example mobile device 120 of FIGS. 1 and6 , the sensor(s) 610 of FIG. 6 , the horn 606 of FIG. 6 , and theexample fourth light 700 disclosed above in connection with FIG. 7 viacommunication link(s) 814 such as, for example, one or more signaltransmission wires or busses, radio frequency, etc. In particular, theexample light interface 802 provides control or command signals and/orpower to the fourth light 700 to generate light and/or illuminate one ormore of the portions 704 a-j thereof. Similarly, in some examples theexample horn interface 803 provides control or command signals and/orpower to the horn 606 to generate sound.

In some examples, to assist a person in loading a vehicle and/or atrailer, the example indicator system 800 directs the example fourthlight 700 to control light generated thereby. Additionally oralternatively, in some examples, the example indicator system 800directs the example horn 606 and/or one or more other sound sources tocontrol sound generated thereby. In particular, during a loading event,the indicator system 800 of the illustrated example generates one ormore predetermined visual indicators via the fourth light 700 and/or oneor more predetermined audible indicators via the horn 606 based onsensor data corresponding to a load associated with the first vehicle104. Further, in some examples, the indicator system 800 similarlycontrols the fourth light 700 based on sensor data corresponding to oneor more other parameters associated with the first vehicle 104 tovisually indicate the same to a person external to the first vehicle104.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 enables the fourth light 700to blink (i.e., activate and deactivate) at predetermined rates orfrequencies (e.g., 1 hertz, 5 hertz, 10 hertz, etc.), generatepredetermined colors (e.g., red, yellow, green, etc.), generate lighthaving a predetermined brightness (e.g., 50 lumens, 200 lumens, 500lumens, etc. In some examples, the indicator system 800 enables the horn606 to activate and deactivate at predetermined rates or frequencies,generate sound having a predetermined pitch (e.g., 200 hertz, 1,000hertz, 5,000 hertz, etc.), generate sound at a predetermined volume(e.g., 50 decibels, 75 decibels, 90 decibels, etc.), etc.

Further, in some examples, the predetermined visual indicator includes avisual pattern. For example, the indicator system 800 enables the fourthlight 700 to generate one or more predetermined patterns (e.g., storedin the database 806) via the aforementioned LEDs 702 a-j based on sensordata. Accordingly, the example light interface 802 of FIG. 8 iscommunicatively and/or operatively coupled to the fourth light 700 viathe communication link(s) 814, and the example horn interface 803 iscommunicatively and/or operatively coupled to the horn 606 via thecommunication link(s) 814.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 8 , the sensor interface 804 iscommunicatively coupled to the example sensor(s) 610 via thecommunication link(s) 814 to receive data therefrom. In some examples,the sensor(s) 610 generate data corresponding to a load associated withthe hitch 608 and/or a change in the load and provide the data to thesensor interface 804. In some examples, the sensor(s) 610 generate datacorresponding to a weight and/or a change in the weight of the firstvehicle 104 and provide the data to the sensor interface 804. In someexamples, the sensor(s) 610 generate data corresponding to one or moreother parameters (e.g., a temperature, a fluid pressure, a soundintensity (e.g., a decibel), a position of a motor and/or an actuator(e.g., associated with a vehicle window), an electrical current, avoltage, etc.) associated with the first vehicle 104.

To determine whether to adjust one or more characteristics of the fourthlight 700 and/or the horn 606 (e.g., during a loading event), theparameter analyzer 810 analyzes data received from one or more of thesensor interface 804, the database 806, and/or the threshold calculator808. In some examples, the parameter analyzer 810 can analyze data fromthe condition determiner 210 of FIG. 2 and/or the load mapper 204 ofFIG. 2 . In particular, the parameter analyzer 810 analyzes theparameter(s) associated with the first vehicle 104 and/or performs oneor more comparisons of the parameter(s) to one or more thresholds (e.g.,calculated and/or determined via the threshold calculator 808), forexample, to determine whether an example threshold is satisfied, whethera threshold is exceeded, a degree to which a threshold is exceeded, etc.In some examples, the parameter analyzer 810 can determine the loadcondition of the vehicle 104 based on a comparison of the parameter(s)with the one or more thresholds.

In some examples, based on a value or magnitude of a parameter relativeto a value or magnitude of an example threshold, the parameter analyzer810 enables the adjustment calculator 812 to calculate and/or determineone or more adjustments for the fourth light 700 and/or the horn 606. Insome examples, based on a change in the parameter, the parameteranalyzer 810 similarly enables the adjustment calculator 812 tocalculate and/or determine one or more adjustments for the fourth light700 and/or the horn 606. As such, the parameter analyzer 810 maytransmit (e.g., via the wired and/or wireless communication link(s) 814)computed data to the adjustment calculator 812 and/or the database 806.

In the example of FIG. 8 , the threshold calculator 808 calculatesand/or determines one or more thresholds for the example parameteranalyzer 810 based on data received from the mobile device 120 and/orthe database 806. In some examples, the threshold calculator 808calculates and/or determines one or more threshold loads based on atrailer weight (e.g., a combined weight of a trailer as well as contentscarried thereby). In such examples, an example threshold load (e.g., aload threshold, etc.) corresponds to a proportion (e.g., between about10% and about 25%) of the trailer weight. The trailer weight may bestored in the database 806 and/or provided to the example indicatorsystem 800 by a user, for example, via the mobile device 120. In otherexamples, the trailer weight may be provided to the example indicatorsystem 800 via one or more other suitable input devices such as, forexample, an electronic device that is disposed in the first vehicle 104and communicatively coupled to the indicator system 800 (e.g., via thecommunication link(s) 814).

In some examples, the threshold calculator 808 calculates and/ordetermines one or more threshold weights based on a capacity or weightlimit (e.g., a front axle weight limit, a rear axle weight limit, agross vehicle weight limit, etc.) associated with the example firstvehicle 104. In such examples, an example threshold weight correspondsto one or more proportions (e.g., 80%, 90%, 100%, 110%, etc.) of theweight limit. The weight capacity of the first vehicle 104 may be storedin the database 806 and/or provided to the example indicator system 800by a user (e.g., via the mobile device 120, an electronic devicedisposed in the first vehicle 104, etc.).

Further, in some examples, the threshold calculator 808 similarlycalculates and/or determines one or more other thresholds (e.g., athreshold temperature, a threshold pressure, a threshold position, athreshold power, a threshold sound intensity, etc.) that facilitatecontrol of the example fourth light 700 by the indicator system 800. Forexample, the threshold calculator 808 calculates and/or determines athreshold axle load corresponding to a certain proportion (e.g., about25%) of a load imparted on an axle (e.g., a front axle) of the firstvehicle 104, which can enable the indicator system 800 to visuallyassist a person in configuring a load distributing hitch. That is, insuch examples, the threshold axle load is based on an axle load providedby the first vehicle 104 being stationary without a trailer coupledthereto. In some examples, the threshold calculator 808 calculatesand/or determines an example threshold temperature corresponding to oneor more of an engine temperature, an oil temperature, and/or a cabintemperature that may be desired by a person. In some examples, thethreshold calculator 808 calculates and/or determines an examplethreshold fluid pressure corresponding to a certain tire pressure (e.g.,30 pounds per square inch (PSI), 35 PSI, 40 PSI, etc.) of the firstvehicle 104 and/or a fuel tank pressure of the first vehicle 104. Insome examples, the threshold calculator 808 calculates and/or determinesan example threshold distance corresponding to a position of a trailertongue relative to a hitch and/or a ball. In another example, thethreshold calculator 808 calculates and/or determines an examplethreshold electrical current, an example threshold voltage, and/or anexample threshold power associated with the battery and/or the generatorof the first vehicle 104.

In the example of FIG. 8 , the example adjustment calculator 812performs one or more calculations associated with controlling theexample fourth light 700 (e.g., controlling one or more of the exampleLEDs 702 a-j) and/or the example horn 606. As such, in some examples,the adjustment calculator 812 transmits (e.g., via the wired and/orwireless communication link(s) 814) computed data to the database 806and/or the light interface 802. In particular, the example adjustmentcalculator 812 calculates and/or determines adjustments of the visualcharacteristic(s) of the fourth light 700 and/or the audiblecharacteristic(s) of the horn 606 based on the analyses and/or thecomparisons performed by the parameter analyzer 810.

In some examples, when controlling the fourth light 700, an exampleadjustment includes increasing or decreasing an intensity or brightnessof the fourth light 700. In some examples, an example adjustmentincludes changing a color generated by the fourth light 700. In someexamples, an example adjustment includes increasing or decreasing afrequency at which the fourth light 700 blinks.

Further, in examples where the first vehicle 104 is implemented with theexample LEDs 702 a-j, an example adjustment includes changing betweenpredetermined visual patterns. For example, an example adjustmentincludes activating, deactivating, and/or changing a color of some ofthe LEDs 702 a-j (e.g., while maintaining visual characteristic(s) ofthe other ones of the LEDs 702 a-j).

In some examples, when controlling the horn 606, an example adjustmentincludes increasing or decreasing an intensity or volume of the horn606. In some examples, an example adjustment includes increasing ordecreasing a pitch of the horn 606. In some examples, an exampleadjustment includes increasing or decreasing a frequency at which thehorn 606 is repeatedly activated and deactivated.

After determining one or more adjustments for the fourth light 700, theadjustment calculator 812 transmits (e.g., via the wired and/or wirelesscommunication link(s) 814) the adjustment(s) to the light interface 802to control the fourth light 700 accordingly. In particular, the examplelight interface 802 directs the fourth light 700 to change or adjust oneor more of the visual characteristics thereof in accordance with thecalculated adjustment(s) to visually communicate to a person external tothe first vehicle 104.

Similarly, in some examples, after determining one or more adjustmentsfor the horn 606, the adjustment calculator 812 transmits (e.g., via thewired and/or wireless communication link(s) 814) the adjustment(s) tothe horn interface 803 to control the horn 606 accordingly. Inparticular, the example horn interface 803 directs the horn 606 tochange or adjust one or more of the audible characteristics thereof inaccordance with the calculated adjustment(s) to audibly communicate to aperson external to the first vehicle 104.

The database 806 of the illustrated example stores and/or providesaccess to data associated with the example first vehicle 104 of FIGS. 1and 6 , the example fourth light 700 of FIG. 7 , and/or the exampleindicator system 800. For example, the example database 806 receivesdata from and/or transmits data to (e.g., via the wired and/or wirelesscommunication link(s) 814) one or more of the light interface 802, thesensor interface 804, the threshold calculator 808, the parameteranalyzer 810, and/or the adjustment calculator 812. Additionally oralternatively, the database 806 stores sensor data generated by thesensor(s) 610.

In some examples, the database 806 stores one or more predeterminedvisual and/or audible characteristics associated with controlling thefourth light 700 and/or the horn 606. In some examples, the database 806stores one or more predetermined frequencies (e.g., 1 hertz, 5 hertz, 10hertz, etc.). In some examples, the database 806 stores one or morepredetermined colors (e.g., green, yellow, red, etc.).

In examples where the first vehicle 104 is implemented with the LEDs 702a-j (and/or one or more other light sources), the database 806 storesone or more predetermined visual patterns to be generated by the LEDs702 a-j. For example, a first example predetermined visual patternincludes some of the LEDs 702 a-j being activated while the other of theLEDs 702 a-j are deactivated. In some examples, a second examplepredetermined visual pattern includes all of the LEDs 702 a-j beingactivated. In some examples, a third example predetermined visualpattern includes at least some of the LEDs 702 a-j having a singlecolor. In some examples, a fourth example predetermined visual patternincludes at least some of the LEDs 702 a-j having different colorsrelative to each other. While some example visual patterns are disclosedherein in connection with the example LEDs 702 a-j, in other examples,the indicator system 800 may control the LEDs 702 a-j to provide one ormore other visual patterns.

In some examples, the database 806 stores one or more predeterminedsequences for controlling the example fourth light 700. For example, thedatabase 806 stores one or more predetermined color sequences for thefourth light 700. In some examples, a first example predetermined colorsequence includes consecutively changing the color of the fourth light700 from red, to yellow, and then to green. Conversely, in someexamples, a second example predetermined color sequence includesconsecutively changing the color of the fourth light 700 from green, toyellow, and then to red. While some example color sequences have beendisclosed herein, in other examples, one or more other color sequencesmay be implemented when controlling the fourth light 700.

The mobile device 120 of the illustrated example facilitates userinteraction with and/or input to the indicator system 800. For example,a person may provide data (e.g., a trailer weight, a vehicle weightlimit, a fuel level, a cabin temperature, an oil temperature, a batterypower level, a generator power level, etc.) and/or view data (e.g., ameasured parameter) via the mobile device 120 (e.g., before, during,and/or after a loading event). As such, the mobile device 120 of FIGS. 1and 6 is communicatively coupled to the indicator system 800 via thecommunication link(s) 814. However, in other examples, the indicatorsystem 800 may be communicatively coupled to one or more other suitableuser devices (e.g., an electronic device disposed in the first vehicle104) to provide and/or facilitate user interaction and/or input.

While an example manner of implementing the example indicator system 800is illustrated in FIG. 8 , one or more of the elements, processes and/ordevices illustrated in FIG. 8 may be combined, divided, re-arranged,omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way. Further, theexample light interface 802, the example horn interface 803, the examplesensor interface 804, the example database 806, the example thresholdcalculator 808, the example parameter analyzer 810, the exampleadjustment calculator 812 and/or, more generally, the example indicatorsystem 800 of FIG. 8 may be implemented by hardware, software, firmwareand/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Thus, forexample, any of the example light interface 802, the example horninterface 803, the example sensor interface 804, the example database806, the example threshold calculator 808, the example parameteranalyzer 810, the example adjustment calculator 812 and/or, moregenerally, the example indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 could beimplemented by one or more analog or digital circuit(s), logic circuits,programmable processor(s), programmable controller(s), graphicsprocessing unit(s) (GPU(s)), digital signal processor(s) (DSP(s)),application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logicdevice(s) (PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)).When reading any of the apparatus or system claims of this patent tocover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one ofthe example light interface 802, the example horn interface 803, theexample sensor interface 804, the example database 806, the examplethreshold calculator 808, the example parameter analyzer 810, theexample adjustment calculator 812 and/or, more generally, the exampleindicator system 800 of FIG. 8 is/are hereby expressly defined toinclude a non-transitory computer readable storage device or storagedisk such as a memory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a compact disk(CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc. including the software and/or firmware.Further still, the example indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 may includeone or more elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, orinstead of, those illustrated in FIG. 8 , and/or may include more thanone of any or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices. Asused herein, the phrase “in communication,” including variationsthereof, encompasses direct communication and/or indirect communicationthrough one or more intermediary components, and does not require directphysical (e.g., wired) communication and/or constant communication, butrather additionally includes selective communication at periodicintervals, scheduled intervals, aperiodic intervals, and/or one-timeevents.

FIG. 9A illustrates example trailer monitoring and light control thatmay be implemented in examples disclosed herein. According to theillustrated example of FIG. 9A, a person (e.g., a driver, a passenger, avehicle servicer, etc.) 900 is loading an example trailer 902 with anexample second vehicle (e.g., a tractor) 904 (e.g., without assistancefrom another person). The trailer 902 of the illustrated example ismovably and/or operatively coupled to the first vehicle 104 via theexample hitch 608 (FIG. 9B) interposed therebetween. In particular, toensure proper performance and/or handling of the example first vehicle104 during use, the person 900 is positioning the second vehicle 904 onthe trailer 902 such that a tongue 906 (FIG. 9B) of the trailer 902imparts a certain force or load (sometimes referred to as tongue ballweight) on a ball of the hitch 608, which ensures proper vehiclehandling and/or maneuverability when driving.

While the example of FIG. 9A depicts the example trailer 902 as being abumper pull trailer, in other examples, the first vehicle 104 may beassociated with and/or tow one or more other suitable trailers such as,for example, a gooseneck trailer. In such examples, as previouslymentioned, the example vehicle 104 may be implemented with a gooseneckhitch and/or a fifth wheel instead of the example hitch 608. Further, insome examples, the example trailer 902 receives or carries cargo,equipment, one or more other vehicles, etc. in addition or alternativelyto the example second vehicle 904.

To assist the person 900 in loading the trailer 902, the exampleindicator system 800 controls (e.g., via the light interface 802) one ormore lights of the first vehicle 104 based on data received from theaforementioned sensor(s) 610 such as, for example, the example firstlight 602, the example second light 604, and/or the example third light616. According to the illustrated example, one or more of the examplelights 602, 604, 616 of the first vehicle 104 may correspond to theexample fourth light 700, as previously mentioned. As shown in FIG. 9A,the example lights 602, 604, 616 are positioned at a back or rearportion 908 of the first vehicle 104 and/or face toward the person 900to facilitate viewing while loading the trailer 902.

As previously disclosed, the indicator system 800 detects (e.g., via thesensor interface 804) the load imparted on the hitch 608 by the trailertongue 906 and compares (e.g., via the parameter analyzer 810) the loadto an example threshold load (e.g., a value corresponding to aproportion of a weight of the trailer 902). In the illustrated exampleof FIG. 9A, the indicator system 800 enables the light(s) 602, 604, 616to generate a predetermined visual indicator based on a magnitude of theload imparted on the hitch 608 relative to a magnitude of the thresholdload, which can visually indicate to the person 900 when the trailer 902is properly loaded and/or a degree to which the trailer 902 isimproperly loaded.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 enables the light(s) 602,604, 616 to blink at a predetermined frequency. In such examples, arelatively low frequency (e.g., 1 hertz) may visually indicate to theperson 900 that the load imparted on the hitch 608 is below thethreshold load and a relatively high frequency (e.g., 10 hertz) mayvisually indicate to the person 900 that the load imparted on the hitch608 is proximate to the threshold load. Additionally or alternatively,in some examples, the indicator system 800 enables the light(s) 602,604, 616 to generate one or more predetermined colors (e.g., stored inthe database 806) to similarly provide visual indications to the person900. For example, a first predetermined color (e.g., red) may visuallyindicate that the load imparted on the hitch 608 is below the thresholdload. In some examples, a second predetermined color (e.g., yellow) mayvisually indicate the load imparted on the hitch 608 is proximate to thethreshold load. In some examples, the third predetermined color (e.g.,green) may visually indicate that the load imparted on the hitch 608 isabout equal to the threshold load (e.g., the vehicle 904 is properlypositioned on the trailer 902).

As the person 900 adjusts a position of the second vehicle 904 relativeto the trailer 902, the indicator system 800 monitors the load of thehitch 608 for changes therein and determines (e.g., via the adjustmentcalculator 812) adjustments for the light(s) 602, 604, 616 in response.In some examples, as the load approaches the threshold load, theindicator system 800 increases (or decreases) the frequency at which thelight(s) 602, 604, 616 blink, which may visually indicate to the person900 that weight distribution of the trailer 902 is improving. In someexamples, the indicator system 800 ceases blinking (e.g., maintains anintensity of or deactivates) the light(s) 602, 604, 616 in response tothe load satisfying the threshold load, which may visually indicate tothe person 900 that the second vehicle 904 is properly positioned on thetrailer 902.

In some examples, based on a change in the load, the indicator system800 generates, via the light(s) 602, 604, 616, the predetermined colorsin accordance with one or more of the aforementioned predetermined colorsequences. For example, as the load approaches the threshold load, theindicator system 800 generates consecutively, via the light(s) 602, 604,616: (1) the first predetermined color; (2) the second predeterminedcolor; and (3) the third predetermined color, which may visuallyindicate the weight distribution of the trailer 902 is improving.

Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, similar to the visualindications, the indicator system 800 controls the example horn 606 toaudibly indicate to the person 900 the load status of the trailer 902and/or the degree to which the trailer 902 is improperly loaded. Forexample, the indicator system 800 enables the horn 606 to activate anddeactivate at a predetermined frequency based on a magnitude of the loadimparted on the hitch 608 relative to a magnitude of the threshold load.For example, a relatively low frequency (e.g., 1 hertz) may audiblyindicate to the person 900 that the load imparted on the hitch 608 isbelow the threshold load, and a relatively high frequency (e.g., 10hertz) may audibly indicate to the person 900 that the load imparted onthe hitch 608 is proximate to the threshold load.

In such examples, as the person 900 adjusts a position of the secondvehicle 904 relative to the trailer 902, the indicator system 800determines (e.g., via the adjustment calculator 812) adjustments for thehorn 606 in response. For example, as the load approaches the thresholdload, the indicator system 800 increases (or decreases) the frequency atwhich the horn generates sound, which may audibly indicate to the person900 that weight distribution of the trailer 902 is improving. In someexamples, the indicator system 800 ceases activating and deactivating(e.g., maintains a volume of or deactivates) the horn 606 in response tothe load satisfying the threshold load, which may audibly indicate tothe person 900 that the second vehicle 904 is properly positioned on thetrailer 902.

In some examples, after properly loading the trailer 902, the indicatorsystem 800 can further inform the person 900 of the trailer load statusvia the example mobile device 120, for example, if a position of secondvehicle 904 relative to the trailer 902 changes during use of the firstvehicle 104. In particular, the mobile device 120 may generate and/ordisplay a warning to the person in response to indicator system 800determining that the load imparted on the hitch 608 no longer satisfiesthe threshold load. For example, the mobile device 120 can generate anaugment reality environment (e.g., the augmented reality environment 308of FIG. 3 , the augmented reality environment 402 of FIG. 4 , etc.) thatincludes a warning indicating the load threshold is not satisfied (e.g.,the warning 310 of FIG. 3 , the warning 404 of FIG. 4 , etc.)

In some examples, the example hitch 608 is a weight distributing hitchhaving one or more arms 910 (FIG. 9B) (one of which is shown in thisexample) extending therefrom to carry out front axle load restorationfor the vehicle 104. The arm(s) 910 of the illustrated example areadjustably coupled to at least a portion of the trailer 902 to generatea torque and apply the torque to the hitch 608 and the first vehicle104. In particular, the person 900 increases or decreases the torque byadjusting one or more of chains, cables, brackets, etc. that couple thearm(s) 910 to the portion of the trailer 902, thereby increasing ordecreasing a load imparted on a front axle of the first vehicle 104.

In such examples, the indicator system 800 detects (e.g., via the sensorinterface 804) a load imparted on the front axle of the first vehicle104 and compares (e.g., via the parameter analyzer 810) the axle load toan example threshold axle load. In particular, the threshold axle loadcorresponds to a certain proportion (e.g., about 25%) of a load impartedon the front axle of the first vehicle 104 when the trailer tongue 906is decoupled or disengaged from the hitch 608. When the axle load issubstantially equal to the threshold axle load, the arm(s) 910 and/orthe hitch 608 are considered to be properly configured.

In such examples, to assist the person 900 in configuring the arm(s) 910and/or the hitch 608, the indicator system 800 enables the light(s) 602,604, 616 to generate a predetermined visual indicator based on amagnitude of the axle load relative to a magnitude of the threshold axleload. In this manner, the indicator system 800 visually indicates to theperson 900 when the arm(s) 910 and/or the hitch 608 are properlyconfigured and/or a degree to which the arm(s) 910 and/or the hitch 608are improperly configured. As such, as the person 900 adjusts the torquegenerated by the arm(s) 910 of the hitch 608, the indicator system 800monitors the load of the front axle for changes therein and determines(e.g., via the adjustment calculator 812) adjustments for the light(s)602, 604, 616 in response to be implemented by the light(s) 602, 604,616.

In some examples, when the first vehicle 104 is implemented withautonomous functionality, the indicator system 800 assists the person incoupling the trailer 902 to the first vehicle 104 during an autonomousvehicle event. In such examples, the indicators system 800 communicateswith an example sensor (e.g., a camera, an infrared sensor, anultrasonic sensor, etc.) 912, which is positioned on the rear portion908 of the first vehicle 104 in this example. In particular, theindicator system 800 identifies, via the sensor 912, a relative positionof at least a portion (e.g., a ball 914) of the hitch 608 as well as arelative position of at least a portion (e.g., the tongue 906) of thetrailer 902. For example, the indicator system 800 analyzes and/orotherwise processes the data received from the sensor 912 to calculateand/or determine the positions based on one or more related equations,algorithms, and/or methods or techniques. Further, in some suchexamples, the indicator system 800 calculates and/or determines adistance between the portion of the hitch 608 and the portion of thetrailer 902, which enables the indicator system 800 to control thelight(s) 602, 604, 616 to visually indicate a proximity of the portionof the hitch 608 relative to the portion of the trailer 902.

In such examples, when the first vehicle 104 is autonomously maneuveringto reduce (e.g., minimize) the distance between the ball 914 and thetongue 906, the indicator system 800 controls the light(s) 602, 604, 616to visually indicate the same to the person 900. In this manner, theperson 900 is enabled to determine whether the first vehicle 104 isdriving autonomously and/or a proximity of the ball 914 relative to thetongue 906.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate example vehicle monitoring and lightcontrol that may be implemented in examples disclosed herein. Accordingto the illustrated example of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the person 900 isloading the aforementioned vehicle 104 with an example object 1000(e.g., without assistance from another person). As shown in FIGS. 10Aand 10B, the object 1000 is being positioned in the bed 614 of the firstexample vehicle 104. In particular, to ensure proper performance and/orhandling of the first vehicle 104 during use, the person 900 is loadingthe first vehicle 104 such that a weight of the first vehicle 104 (e.g.,a weight corresponding to the object 1000 and/or a combination of theobject 1000 and the first vehicle 104) remains below a capacity orweight limit (e.g., stored in the databased 806) associated with thefirst vehicle 104.

While the examples of FIGS. 10A and 10B depict the first vehicle 104 asbeing loaded with the object 1000, in other examples, the first vehicle104 may receive cargo, equipment, etc. in addition or alternatively tothe object 1000.

To assist the person 900 in loading the first vehicle 104, the exampleindicator system 800 controls (e.g., via the light interface 802) one ormore lights of the first vehicle 104 based on data received from theaforementioned sensor(s) 610 such as, for example, the example firstlight 602, the example second light 604, and/or the example third light616 of the first vehicle 104, one or more of which may correspond to theaforementioned fourth light 700 of FIG. 7 . According to the illustratedexample of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the example first light 602 is implementedwith the aforementioned LEDs 702 a-j of FIG. 7 such that the person 900can view and/or inspect the LEDs 702 a-j when positioning content(s) inthe bed 614.

As previously disclosed, the indicator system 800 detects (e.g., via thesensor interface 804) a weight of the first vehicle 104 and compares(e.g., via the parameter analyzer 810) the weight to one or more examplethreshold weights (e.g., values corresponding to proportions (e.g., 80%,90%, 100%, 110%, etc.) of the weight limit of the first vehicle 104). Inthe illustrated example of FIG. 10A, the indicator system 800 directsthe fourth light 700 to generate a predetermined visual indicator basedon a magnitude of the weight relative to a magnitude of the thresholdweight, which can visually indicate to the person 900 when the firstvehicle 104 is properly loaded and/or a degree to which the firstvehicle 104 is loaded below or above the weight limit.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 enables the first light 602to generate one or more predetermined colors (e.g., stored in thedatabase 806). For example, the indicator system 800 generates, via thefirst light 602, the third predetermined color (e.g., green) in responseto the weight of the first vehicle 104 being at or below a first examplethreshold weight (e.g., about 80% of the weight limit), which mayvisually indicate to the person 900 that the first vehicle 104 is loadedbelow the weight limit thereof. In some examples, the indicator system800 generates, via the first light 602, the second predetermined color(e.g., yellow) in response to the weight being between the firstthreshold weight and a second example threshold weight (e.g., betweenabout 90% and about 100% of the weight limit), which may visuallyindicate to the person 900 that the first vehicle 104 is loaded near theweight limit. In some examples, the indicator system 800 generates, viathe first light 602, the first predetermined color (e.g., red) inresponse to the weight being between the second threshold weight and athird example threshold weight (e.g., about 110% of the weight limit),which may visually indicate to the person 900 that the first vehicle 104is loaded over the weight limit thereof. In some examples, the indicatorsystem 800 enables at least a portion (e.g., some of the LEDs 702 a-j)of the first light 602 to blink at a predetermined frequency in responseto the weight being at or above the third threshold weight.

Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the indicator system800 enables the first light 602 to blink at a predetermined frequency,which may visually indicate the status of the first vehicle 104. Forexample, a relatively low frequency (e.g., 1 hertz) may indicate theweight of the first vehicle 104 is below the weight limit, and arelatively high frequency (e.g., 10 hertz) may indicate the weight ofthe first vehicle 104 is proximate to or at the weight limit. Further,in such examples, the indicator system 800 can enable the first light602 to cease blinking in response to the vehicle weight exceeding theweight limit.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 enables the example LEDs 702a-j to generate one or more predetermined visual patterns. For example,as shown in the example of FIG. 10A, the indicator system 800 activatessome (e.g., 702 a and 702 b) of the LEDs 702 a-j while deactivating theother (e.g., 702 c-j) of the LEDs 702 a-j. Further, in the illustratedexample of FIG. 10A, the indicator system 800 enables the activated ones(as represented by the texture/shading) of the LEDs 702 a-j to generatethe third predetermined color to indicate the vehicle weight is belowthe weight limit.

According to the illustrated example of FIG. 10B, the person 900 isincreasing the weight of the first vehicle 104 by lowering the object1000 into the bed 614. In particular, the indicator system 800 monitorsthe weight of the first vehicle 104 for changes therein and determines(e.g., via the adjustment calculator 812) adjustments for the firstlight 602 in response.

In some examples, as the weight of the first vehicle 104 increasesand/or approaches the weight limit thereof, the indicator system 800consecutively actives or powers adjacent LEDs 702 a-j of the first light602. For example, the indicator system 800 consecutively activates: (1)the first example LED 702 a; (2) the second example LED 702 b; (3) thethird example LED 702 c; etc., which may visually indicate to the person900 that the weight is approaching the weight limit. Conversely, in someexamples, in response to the weight of the first vehicle 104 decreasingand/or falling below the weight limit thereof, the indicator system 800consecutively deactivates: (1) the tenth example LED 702 j; (2) theninth example LED 702 i; (3) the eighth example LED 702 h; etc., whichmay visually indicate to the person 900 that the weight is falling belowthe weight limit.

In some examples, as the weight of the first vehicle 104 increasesand/or approaches the weight limit thereof, the indicator system 800enables at least a portion (e.g., at least some of the LEDs 702 a-j) ofthe first light 602 to change color (e.g., in accordance with one ormore of the aforementioned predetermined color sequences in the database806). In some examples, as the weight of the first vehicle 104 increasesand/or approaches the weight limit thereof, the indicator system 800increases (or decreases) the frequency at which the first light 602blinks, which may visually indicate to the person 900 that weight isapproaching the weight limit. In some such examples, the indicatorsystem 800 ceases blinking (e.g., maintains an intensity of ordeactivates) the first light 602 in response to the weight satisfyingthe threshold weight.

Further, in some examples, the indicator system 800 controls some of theexample vehicle lights 602, 604, 616 different from the other lights602, 604, 616 to visually indicate a distribution (e.g., a side-to-sidedistribution) of the vehicle weight. For example, the indicator system800 detects a first load imparted on and/or associated with a first side(e.g., a left side) 1002 of the first vehicle 104 and a second loadimparted on and/or associated with a second side (e.g., a right side)1004 of the first vehicle 104 opposite the first side 1002. In suchexamples, the indicator system 800 analyzes the loads and/or compares tothe loads to one or more threshold loads and, in response, generates afirst predetermined visual indicator via the first light 602 based onthe first load and a second predetermined visual indicator (e.g.,different from the first predetermined visual indicator) via the secondlight 604 based on the second load. In this manner, the indicator system800 visually indicates to the person 900 that the first side 1002 of thefirst vehicle 104 is loaded more or less than the second side 1004.Further, in such examples, the indicator system 800 adjustsindependently the first light 602 and second light 604 based on therespective load changes in the first load and the second load.

Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, similar to the visualindicator, the indicator system 800 controls the example horn 606 toaudibly indicate to the person 900 the load status of the first vehicle104 and/or the degree to which the first vehicle 104 is loaded below orabove the weight limit thereof. For example, the indicator system 800enables the horn 606 to activate and deactivate at a predeterminedfrequency.

In some such examples, as the person 900 adjusts the weight of the firstvehicle 104, the indicator system 800 determines (e.g., via theadjustment calculator 812) adjustments for the horn 606 in response. Forexample, as the weight of the first vehicle 104 approaches the weightlimit thereof, the indicator system 800 increases (or decreases) thefrequency at which the horn generates sound, which may audibly indicateto the person 900 that vehicle weight is approaching the weight limit.In some such examples, the indicator system 800 ceases activating anddeactivating (e.g., maintains a volume of or deactivates) the horn 606in response to the vehicle weight exceeding the weight limit, which mayaudibly indicate to the person 900 that the first vehicle 104 improperlyloaded.

While the example of FIGS. 10A and 10B depict light control inassociation with load detection and/or monitoring, in some examples, theindicator system 800 similarly controls the example light(s) 602, 604,616 in association with detecting and/or monitoring one or more otherparameters of the first vehicle 104 and visually indicating one or morerespective statuses to the person 900, as previously disclosed.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 of the illustrated examplecontrols the light(s) 602, 604, 616 based on data from the sensor(s) 610corresponding to a position of one or more windows (e.g., the examplewindow 624) of the first vehicle 104 to visually indicate the positionto the person 900. In such examples, the indicator system 800 controlsat least some of the lights 602, 604, 616 differently from the otherlights 602, 604, 616 to indicate which ones of the window(s) of thefirst vehicle 104 is/are open, closed, and/or a degree to which eachwindow is open. For example, the indicator system 800 generates a firstpredetermined visual indicator via the first light 602 to visuallyindicate a first position of a vehicle window proximate thereto, asecond predetermined visual indicator (e.g., different from the firstpredetermined visual indicator) via the second light 604 to visuallyindicate a second position (e.g., different from the first position) ofa second window proximate thereto, etc. Further, in such examples, theindicator system 800 adjusts independently the first light 602, thesecond light 604, and/or one or more other vehicle lights based on therespective position changes in the vehicle windows. In this manner, theindicator system 800 enables the person 900 to accurately adjust one ormore windows of the first vehicle 104 remotely (e.g., via an electronickey or fob communicatively coupled to the controller 612 and/or thefirst vehicle 104) and/or from a location external to the first vehicle104.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 of the illustrated examplecontrols the light(s) 602, 604, 616 based on data from the sensor(s) 610corresponding to a position and/or engagement of one or more locks(e.g., the example lock 628) of the first vehicle 104 to visuallyindicate the same to the person 900. In such examples, the indicatorsystem 800 controls at least some of the lights 602, 604, 616differently from the other lights 602, 604, 616 to indicate which onesof the lock(s) of the first vehicle 104 is/are locked or unlocked.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 of the illustrated examplecontrols the light(s) 602, 604, 616 based on data from the sensor(s) 610corresponding to a fuel level of the first vehicle 104 to visuallyindicate the same to the person 900. In particular, in such examples,the indicator system 800 calculates and/or determines an amount of afuel (e.g., gasoline) in the fuel tank of the first vehicle 104 andcompares the amount of fuel to a threshold fuel level (e.g., a valuecorresponding to a proportion of a capacity of the fuel tank) and, inresponse, generates a predetermined visual indicator via the light(s)602, 604, 616. Further, the indicator system 800 enables the light(s)602, 604, 616 to change between predetermined visual indicators inresponse to detected changes in the fuel level. In this manner, theindicator system 800 visually assists the person 900 in filling the fueltank of the first vehicle 104 to a certain level, for example, that maybe associated with a rented vehicle and/or required by a vehicle rentalcompany to avoid additional costs and/or fees. In some such examples,the indicator system 800 may implement such control in response to oneor more of a setting thereof being activated (e.g., via input to themobile device 120) by the person, detected changes in the fuel level,and/or the fuel door 630 being open. That is, the indicator system 800can detect and/or determine when the person 900 is fueling the firstvehicle 104 and/or when fuel door 630 is open based on sensor data.

Accordingly, in some examples, the indicator system 800 of theillustrated example controls the light(s) 602, 604, 616 based on datafrom the sensor(s) 610 corresponding to a position and/or stateassociated with the fuel door 630 of the first vehicle 104 to visuallyindicate the same to the person 900. In particular, the indicator system800 calculates and/or determines a fluid pressure in the fuel tank ofthe first vehicle 104 and compares the fluid pressure to a thresholdfluid pressure indicative of the state of the fuel door and, inresponse, enables the light(s) 602, 604, 616 to generate a predeterminedvisual indicator to indicate to the person 900 whether the fuel door 630is open or closed.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 of the illustrated examplecontrols the light(s) 602, 604, 616 based on data received from thesensor(s) 610 corresponding to a fluid pressure of one or more tires(e.g., the example tire 632) of the first vehicle 104 to visuallyindicate the pressure of each tire to the person 900. In particular, theindicator system 800 enables the light(s) 602, 604, 616 to generate apredetermined visual indicator based on a magnitude of the fluidpressure relative to a magnitude of a fluid pressure threshold. In suchexamples, the indicator system 800 can control at least some of thelights 602, 604, 616 differently from the other lights 602, 604, 616 toindicate which ones of the tires of the first vehicle 104 aresufficiently filled or inflated and/or a degree to which each tire isinflated. For example, the indicator system 800 generates a firstpredetermined visual indicator via the first light 602 to visuallyindicate a first fluid pressure of the first example tire 632 proximatethereto, a second predetermined visual indicator (e.g., different fromthe first predetermined visual indicator) via the second light 604 tovisually indicate a second fluid pressure (e.g., different from thefirst position) of a second tire of the first vehicle 104 proximatethereto, etc. Further, in such examples, the indicator system 800adjusts independently the first light 602, the second light 604, and/orone or more other vehicle lights based on the respective fluid pressurechanges in the tires of the first vehicle 104. In this manner, theindicator system 800 enables the person 900 to accurately adjust thepressure of one or more vehicle tires, for example, without checking atire pressure using a tool (e.g., a pressure gauge).

Further, in such examples, the indicator system 800 can determine when atire of the first vehicle 104 is being filled by the person 900 forexample, based on detected fluid pressure changes in a vehicle tire. Inresponse to determining that the person 900 is adjusting a pressure ofat least one tire of the first vehicle 104, the indicator system 800 mayimplement control of the light(s) 602, 604, 616 accordingly to informthe person 900 of the tire pressure(s).

In some examples, the indicator system 800 of the illustrated examplecontrols the light(s) 602, 604, 616 based on data received from thesensor(s) 610 corresponding to one or more of electrical power, voltage,and/or current associated with the battery and/or the generator of thefirst vehicle 104 to visually indicate the same to the person 900. Inparticular, the indicator system 800 enables the light(s) 602, 604, 616to generate a predetermined visual indicator based on a magnitude of oneor more of the power, the voltage, and/or the current relative to amagnitude of one or more respective thresholds (e.g., a threshold power,a threshold voltage, and/or a threshold current). Further, in suchexamples, the indicator system 800 changes or adjusts a visualcharacteristic of the light(s) 602, 604, 616 in response to detectedchanges in one or more of the power, the voltage, and/or the current.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 of the illustrated examplecontrols the light(s) 602, 604, 616 based on data received from thesensor(s) 610 corresponding to one or more temperatures (e.g., atemperature of a cabin inside the first vehicle 104, a temperature ofthe engine of the first vehicle 104, a temperature of oil in the engineand/or the first vehicle 104, etc.) associated with the first vehicle104 to visually indicate the same to the person 900. In particular, theindicator system 800 enables the light(s) 602, 604, 616 to generate apredetermined visual indicator based on a magnitude of the temperaturerelative to a magnitude of a threshold temperature. Further, in suchexamples, the indicator system 800 changes or adjusts a visualcharacteristic of the light(s) 602, 604, 616 in response to detectedchanges in the temperature.

In such examples, the indicator system 800 enables the person 900 tovisually determine (e.g., from a location external to the first vehicle104) whether a temperature in the first vehicle 104 (e.g., a temperatureof the vehicle engine and/or the vehicle cabin) is sufficient and/ordesirable to the person 900. In some examples, the indicator system 800implements such control of the light(s) 602, 604, 616 in response to theperson 900 starting the first vehicle 104 from a remote location, forexample, via an electronic key or fob communicatively coupled to theindicator system 800. Similarly, in such examples, the indicator system800 enables the person to visually determine whether a temperature ofthe oil of the first vehicle 104 is sufficiently cool before replacingor changing the oil.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 of the illustrated examplecontrols the light(s) 602, 604, 616 based on data received from thesensor(s) 610 corresponding to a distance between the person 900 (and/orone or more other persons (e.g., a pedestrian)) and the first vehicle104 to visually indicate the same to the person 900. For example, theindicator system 800 receives data from the sensor(s) 610 (e.g., aproximity sensor) and, in some examples, calculates and/or determinesthe distance based on one or more related equations, algorithms, and/ormethods or techniques. In particular, the indicator system 800 enablesthe light(s) 602, 604, 616 to generate a predetermined visual indicatorbased on a magnitude of the distance. Further, in such examples, theindicator system 800 changes or adjusts a visual characteristic of thelight(s) 602, 604, 616 in response to detected changes in the distance.In this manner, the indicator system 800 visually informs the person 900(and/or one or more other persons) that the first vehicle 104 isapproaching (e.g., when driving autonomously and/or in reverse) and/orof a relative proximity of the first vehicle 104. In such examples, theindicator system 800 may implement such control of the light(s) 602,604, 616 in response to the first vehicle 104 being in a certain drivingmode (e.g., an autonomous driving mode) and/or a certain gear (e.g.,reverse).

Further, in some such examples, the indicator system 800 controls thelight(s) 602, 604, 616 in this manner in response to the first vehicle104 being parked and/or a vehicle alarm system being active.Accordingly, in such examples, the indicator system 800 may visuallywarn and/or deter an undesired person from approaching or entering thefirst vehicle 104 by adjusting the characteristic of the light(s) 602,604, 616 based on a distance between the undesired person and the firstvehicle 104.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 of the illustrated examplecontrols the light(s) 602, 604, 616 based on data received from thesensor(s) 610 corresponding to a volume or sound intensity in and/ornear the first vehicle 104 to visually indicate the same to the person900. For example, the indicator system 800 detects and/or measures thesound intensity via the sensor(s) 610 (e.g., a microphone) and/or via anelectrical or audio signal (e.g., generated by an electronic device(e.g., a radio) in the first vehicle 104) provided to the indicatorsystem 800. In particular, the indicator system 800 enables the light(s)602, 604, 616 to generate a predetermined visual indicator based on amagnitude of the sound intensity and/or the audio signal. Further, insuch examples, the indicator system 800 changes or adjusts a visualcharacteristic of the light(s) 602, 604, 616 in response to detectedchanges in the sound intensity and/or the audio signal. In this manner,the indicator system 800 visually informs the person 900 (and/or one ormore other persons) of changes in sound intensity, which may beentertaining and/or desirable to the person 900 (e.g., when tailgatingand/or when the first vehicle 104 is parked).

Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the indicator system800 analyzes sensor data and controls the light(s) 602, 604, 616 of thefirst vehicle 104 in accordance with instructions provided by one ormore users such as, for example, software and/or application developers.In such examples, the instructions may be stored in and/or installed onthe example database 806 for execution by the indicator system 800.

Flowcharts representative of example methods, hardware implemented statemachines, and/or any combination thereof for implementing the indicatorsystem 800 of FIG. 8 are shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 . The method can beimplemented using machine readable instructions that may be anexecutable program or portion of an executable program for execution bya computer processor such as the processor 1312 shown in the exampleprocessor platform 1300 discussed below in connection with FIG. 13 . Theprogram may be embodied in software stored on a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, aDVD, a Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the processor 1312, butthe entire program and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executedby a device other than the processor 1312 and/or embodied in firmware ordedicated hardware. Further, although the example programs are describedwith reference to the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 , manyother methods of implementing the example indicator system 800 mayalternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocksmay be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed,eliminated, or combined. Additionally or alternatively, any or all ofthe blocks may be implemented by one or more hardware circuits (e.g.,discrete and/or integrated analog and/or digital circuitry, an FPGA, anASIC, a comparator, an operational-amplifier (op-amp), a logic circuit,etc4.) structured to perform the corresponding operation withoutexecuting software or firmware.

As mentioned above, the example methods of FIGS. 11 and 12 may beimplemented using executable instructions (e.g., computer and/or machinereadable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer and/ormachine readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, aread-only memory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, arandom-access memory, and/or any other storage device or storage disk inwhich information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended timeperiods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering,and/or for caching of the information).

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an example method 1100 that may be executedto implement the example indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 . The examplemethod 1100 of FIG. 6 can be implemented in any of the example firstvehicle 104 of FIGS. 1, 6, 9A, 9B, 10A, the example load manager 102 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 , the example fourth light 700 of FIG. 7 , and/or theexample indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 .

The example method 1100 begins by determining a load imparted on a hitch(block 1102). In some examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8determines (e.g., via the sensor interface 804) a load imparted on theexample hitch 608 by the trailer tongue 906 based on data received fromthe sensor(s) 610.

The example method 1100 also includes comparing the load to a thresholdload (block 1104). In some examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8compares (e.g., via the parameter analyzer 810) the load imparted on theexample hitch 608 to a threshold load (e.g., determined via thethreshold calculator 808).

The example method 1100 also includes generating, via a light and/or ahorn of a vehicle, an indicator based on the comparison (block 1106). Insome examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 controls (e.g., viathe light interface 802) one or more of the example first light 602, theexample second light 604, the example third light 616, and/or theexample fourth light 700 based on the comparison at block 1104. Inparticular, the indicator system 800 enables the light(s) 602, 604, 616,700 to generate a predetermined visual indicator corresponding to a loadstatus (e.g., properly or improperly loaded) of the example trailer 902and/or a degree to which the trailer 902 is improperly loaded.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 controls (e.g., via the horninterface 803) the example horn 606 based on the comparison at block1104. In such examples, the indicator system 800 enables the horn 606 togenerate a predetermined audible indicator corresponding to the loadstatus of the trailer 902 and/or the degree to which the trailer 902 isimproperly loaded.

The example method 1100 also includes monitoring the load (block 1108).In some examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 monitors (e.g., viathe sensor interface 804) the load imparted on the hitch 608 based ondata received from the sensor(s) 610.

The example method 1100 also includes determining whether the load haschanged (block 1110). In some examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG.8 determines (e.g., via the parameter analyzer 810) whether the loadimparted on the hitch 608 has changed. In some examples, if theindicator system 800 determines that the load has changed (block 1110:YES), control of the example method 1100 proceeds to block 1112.Otherwise, if the indicator system 800 determines that the load has notchanged (block 1110: NO), control of the example method 1100 returns toblock 1108.

The example method 1100 also includes determining an adjustment for thelight and/or the horn based on a change of the load (block 1112). Insome examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 determines (e.g., viathe adjustment calculator 812) an adjustment for one or more of thelights 602, 604, 616, 700 based on a change in the load. In particular,the adjustment includes a change in a visual characteristic of thelight(s) 602, 604, 616, 700 based on the change in the load.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 determines (e.g.,via the adjustment calculator 812) an adjustment for the horn 606 basedon a change in the load. In particular, the adjustment includes a changein an audible characteristic of the horn 606 based on the change in theload.

The example method 1100 also includes adjusting a characteristic of thelight and/or the horn in accordance with the adjustment (block 1114). Insome examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 changes or adjusts(e.g., via the light interface 802) a visual characteristic of one ormore of the lights 602, 604, 616, 700 in accordance with the adjustmentat block 1112. In some examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8changes or adjusts (e.g., via the horn interface 803) an audiblecharacteristic of the horn 606 in accordance with the adjustment atblock 1112.

The example method 1100 also includes determining whether the trailer isproperly loaded (block 1116). In some examples, the indicator system 800of FIG. 8 determines whether the example trailer 902 is properly loaded.If the indicator system 800 determines the trailer 902 is properlyloaded (block 1116: YES), the example method 1100 ends. Otherwise, insome examples, if the indicator system 800 determines the trailer 902 isnot properly loaded (block 1116: NO), control of the example method 1100returns to block 1108.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of an example method 1200 that may be executedto implement the example indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 . The examplemethod 1200 of FIG. 12 can be implemented in any of the example firstvehicle 104 of FIGS. 1, 6 . 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B, the example loadmanager 102 of FIGS. 1 and 2 , the example fourth light 700 of FIG. 7 ,and/or the example indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 .

The example method 1200 begins by determining a weight of a vehicle(block 1202). In some examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8determines (e.g., via the sensor interface 804) a weight of the examplefirst vehicle 104 based on data received from the sensor(s) 610.

The example method 1200 also includes comparing the weight to athreshold weight (block 1204). In some examples, the indicator system800 of FIG. 8 compares (e.g., via the parameter analyzer 810) the weightof the first vehicle 104 to one or more threshold weights (e.g.,determined via the threshold calculator 808).

The example method 1200 also includes generating, via a light and/or ahorn of the vehicle, an indicator based on the comparison (block 1206).In some examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 controls (e.g., viathe light interface 802) one or more of the example first light 602, theexample second light 604, the example third light 616, and/or theexample fourth light 700 based on the comparison at block 1204. Inparticular, the indicator system 800 enables the light(s) 602, 604, 616,700 to generate a predetermined visual indicator corresponding to a loadstatus (e.g., properly or improperly loaded) of the first vehicle 104and/or a degree to which the first vehicle 104 is loaded below or abovea weight limit thereof.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 controls (e.g., via the horninterface 803) the example horn 606 based on the comparison at block1204. In such examples, the indicator system 800 enables the horn 606 togenerate a predetermined audible indicator corresponding to the loadstatus of the first vehicle 104 and/or the degree to which the firstvehicle 104 is loaded below or above the weight limit.

The example method 1200 also includes monitoring the weight (block1208). In some examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 monitors(e.g., via the sensor interface 804) the weight of the first vehicle 104based on data received from the sensor(s) 610.

The example method 1200 also includes determining whether the weight haschanged (block 1210). In some examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG.8 determines (e.g., via the parameter analyzer 810) whether the weightof the first vehicle 104 has changed. In some examples, if the indicatorsystem 800 determines that the vehicle weight has changed (block 1210:YES), control of the example method 1200 proceeds to block 1212.Otherwise, if the indicator system 800 determines that the load has notchanged (block 1210: NO), control of the example method 1200 returns toblock 1208.

The example method 1200 also includes determining an adjustment for thelight and/or the horn based on a change in the weight (block 1212). Insome examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 determines (e.g., viathe adjustment calculator 812) an adjustment for one or more of thelights 602, 604, 616, 700 based on a change in the weight of the firstvehicle 104. In particular, the adjustment includes changing a visualcharacteristic of the light(s) 602, 604, 616, 700 based on the change inthe weight.

In some examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 determines (e.g.,via the adjustment calculator 812) an adjustment for the horn 606 basedon the change in the weight of the first vehicle 104. In particular, theadjustment includes changing an audible characteristic of the horn 606based on the change in the weight.

The example method 1200 also includes adjusting a characteristic of thelight and/or the horn in accordance with the adjustment (block 1214). Insome examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8 changes or adjusts(e.g., via the light interface 802) a visual characteristic of one ormore of the lights 602, 604, 616, 700 in accordance with the adjustmentat block 1212. In some examples, the indicator system 800 of FIG. 8changes or adjusts (e.g., via the horn interface 803) an audiblecharacteristic of the horn 606 in accordance with the adjustment atblock 1212.

The example method 1200 also includes determining whether the vehicle isproperly loaded (block 1216). In some examples, the indicator system 800of FIG. 8 determines whether the example first vehicle 104 is properlyloaded. If the indicator system 800 determines the first vehicle 104 isproperly loaded (block 1216: YES), the example method 1200 ends.Otherwise, in some examples, if the indicator system 800 determines thefirst vehicle 104 is not properly loaded (block 1216: NO), control ofthe example method 1200 returns to block 1208.

While the example method 500 of FIG. 5 , the example method 1100 of FIG.11 , and the example method 1200 of FIG. 12 are depicted as separate,the order of execution of the blocks of the methods 500, 1100, 1200 maybe changed, interchanged between the methods 500, 1100, 1200 and/or someof the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined.Additionally, some or all of the blocks of the methods 500, 1100, 1200indicated as executed by the indicator system 800 can be executed by theload manager 102, and vice versa. For example, after the execution ofblock 508 of FIG. 5 , the indicator system 800 and/or the load manager102 can execute some or all of the blocks 1102-1116 of FIG. 11 and/orblocks 1202-1216 of FIG. 12 . In other examples, any combination and/orordering of the blocks 502-524 of FIG. 5 , blocks 1102-1112 of FIG. 11 ,and blocks 1202-1212 of FIG. 12 can be executed by the load manager 102and/or indicator system 800.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an example processor platform 1300 capableof executing instructions of FIG. 5 to implement the vehicle loadmanager 102 of FIG. 2 and/or executing the instructions of FIGS. 11-12to implement the vehicle controller 612 of FIG. 8 . The processorplatform 1300 can be, for example, a server, a personal computer, aworkstation, a self-learning machine (e.g., a neural network), a mobiledevice (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet such as an iPad™), apersonal digital assistant (PDA), an Internet appliance, a DVD player, aCD player, a digital video recorder, a Blu-ray player, a gaming console,a personal video recorder, a headset or other wearable device, or anyother type of computing device.

The processor platform 1300 of the illustrated example includes aprocessor 1312. The processor 1312 of the illustrated example ishardware. For example, the processor 1312 can be implemented by one ormore integrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors, GPUs, DSPs,or controllers from any desired family or manufacturer. The hardwareprocessor may be a semiconductor based (e.g., silicon based) device. Inthis example, the processor 1312 implements the example sensor interface202, the example load mapper 204, the example object identifier 206, theexample object-to-weight correlator 208, the example conditiondeterminer 210, the example guidance generator 212 and the exampleaugmented reality generator 214, the example light interface 802, theexample horn interface 803, the example sensor interface 804, theexample database 806, the example threshold calculator 808, the exampleparameter 810, and the example adjustment calculator 812.

The processor 1312 of the illustrated example includes a local memory1313 (e.g., a cache). The processor 1312 of the illustrated example isin communication with a main memory including a volatile memory 1314 anda non-volatile memory 1316 via a bus 1318. The volatile memory 1314 maybe implemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM),Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS® Dynamic Random AccessMemory (RDRAM®), and/or any other type of random access memory device.The non-volatile memory 1316 may be implemented by flash memory and/orany other desired type of memory device. Access to the main memory 1314,1316 is controlled by a memory controller.

The processor platform 1300 of the illustrated example also includes aninterface circuit 1320. The interface circuit 1320 may be implemented byany type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, auniversal serial bus (USB), a Bluetooth® interface, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) interface, and/or a PCI express interface.

In the illustrated example, one or more input devices 1322 are connectedto the interface circuit 1320. The input device(s) 1322 permit(s) a userto enter data and/or commands into the processor 1312. The inputdevice(s) 1322 can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, amicrophone, a camera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, atouchscreen, a track-pad, a trackball, an isopoint device, and/or avoice recognition system.

One or more output devices 1324 are also connected to the interfacecircuit 1320 of the illustrated example. The output devices 1324 can beimplemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emittingdiode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a cathode ray tube display (CRT), an in-place switching(IPS) display, a touchscreen, etc.), a tactile output device, a printer,and/or speaker. The interface circuit 1320 of the illustrated example,thus, typically includes a graphics driver card, a graphics driver chip,and/or a graphics driver processor.

The interface circuit 1320 of the illustrated example also includes acommunication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, amodem, a residential gateway, a wireless access point, and/or a networkinterface to facilitate exchange of data with external machines (e.g.,computing devices of any kind) via a network 1326. The communication canbe via, for example, an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line(DSL) connection, a telephone line connection, a coaxial cable system, asatellite system, a line-of-site wireless system, a cellular telephonesystem, etc.

The processor platform 1300 of the illustrated example also includes oneor more mass storage devices 1328 for storing software and/or data.Examples of such mass storage devices 1328 include floppy disk drives,hard drive disks, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, redundantarray of independent disks (RAID) systems, and digital versatile disk(DVD) drives.

The machine executable instructions 1332 to implement the methods ofFIGS. 5, 11 and/or 12 may be stored in the mass storage device 1328, inthe volatile memory 1314, in the non-volatile memory 1316, and/or on aremovable non-transitory computer readable storage medium such as a CDor DVD.

Example methods and apparatus to generate an augmented environmentincluding a weight indicator for a vehicle are disclosed herein. Furtherexamples and combinations thereof include the following:

Example 1 includes an apparatus comprising memory including storedinstructions, a processor to execute the instructions to generate a mapof loads on a vehicle based on load data associated with a sensor of thevehicle, determine a load condition of the vehicle based on the map ofloads, correlate a first load of the map of loads with an objectidentified using live video data received from a camera, and generate anaugmented environment identifying at least one of a location of theobject, the first load correlated with the object, or the loadcondition.

Example 2 includes the apparatus of example 1, wherein the processorexecutes the instructions to, when the load condition of the vehicle ismisloaded, modifying the augmented environment with a visual indicationbased on the load condition, the visual indication including aninstruction to move the object.

Example 3 includes the apparatus of example 1, wherein the processorexecutes the instructions to determine the load condition includescomparing a second load on the vehicle to a first load threshold, thesecond load determined based on the load data, and the processorexecutes the instructions to control an external light of the vehiclebased on the comparison to visually indicate the load condition.

Example 4 includes the apparatus of example 3, wherein the processorexecutes instructions to control an external light of the vehicle basedon the comparison to visually indicate to indicate the load condition bycausing the external light to blink at a frequency based on the loadcondition.

Example 5 includes the apparatus of example 4, wherein the processorexecutes the instructions to cease blinking of the external light inresponse to the second load satisfying the first load threshold.

Example 6 includes the apparatus of example 3, wherein the externallight includes a first light source, a second light source, and a thirdlight source, and the processor executes the instructions to cause thefirst light source, the second light source, and the third light sourceto illuminate in a first pattern when the first load threshold issatisfied, and cause the first light source, the second light source,and the third light source to illuminate in a second pattern when asecond load threshold is satisfied, the first load threshold is greaterthan the second load threshold.

Example 7 includes the apparatus of example 1, wherein the processorexecutes the instructions to determine the load condition by comparing asecond load on the vehicle to a first load threshold, the second loaddetermined based on the load data, and the processor executesinstructions to cause a horn of the vehicle to sound based on thecomparison to indicate the load condition.

Example 8 includes a method comprising generating a map of loads on avehicle based on load data associated with a sensor of the vehicle,determining a load condition of the vehicle based on the map of loads,correlating a first load of the map of loads with an object identifiedusing live video data received from a camera, and generating anaugmented environment identifying at least one of a location of theobject, the first load correlated with the object, or the loadcondition.

Example 9 includes the method of example 8, further including, when thevehicle is misloaded, modifying the augmented environment with a visualindication based on the load condition, the visual indication includingan instruction to move the object.

Example 10 includes the method of example 8, wherein the determining theload condition includes comparing a second load on the vehicle to afirst load threshold, the second load determined based on the load data,and further including controlling an external light of the vehicle basedon the comparison to indicate the load condition.

Example 11 includes the method of example 10, wherein controlling theexternal light of the vehicle based on the comparison to visuallyindicate to indicate the load condition includes causing the externallight to blink at a frequency based on the second load.

Example 12 includes the method of example 10, wherein the external lightincludes a first light source, a second light source, and a third lightsource, and further including causing the first light source, the secondlight source, and the third light source to illuminate in a firstpattern when the first load threshold is satisfied, and causing thefirst light source, the second light source, and the third light sourceto illuminate in a second pattern when a second load threshold issatisfied, the first load threshold is greater than the second loadthreshold.

Example 13 includes the method of example 8, wherein the determining theload condition includes comparing a second load on the vehicle to afirst load threshold, the second load determined based on the load dataand further including causing a horn of the vehicle to sound based onthe comparison to indicate the load condition.

Example 14 includes a non-transitory computer readable medium comprisinginstructions, which, when executed cause a processor to generate a mapof loads on a vehicle based on load data associated with a sensor of thevehicle, determine a load condition of the vehicle based on the map ofloads, correlate a first load of the map of loads with an objectidentified using live video data received from a camera, and generate anaugmented environment identifying at least one of a location of theobject, the first load correlated with the object, or the loadcondition.

Example 15 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofexample 14, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processorto, when the vehicle is misloaded, modify the augmented environment witha visual indication based on the load condition, the visual indicationincluding an instruction to move the object.

Example 16 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofexample 14, wherein the determination of the load condition includescomparing a second load on the vehicle to a first load threshold, thesecond load determined based on the load data, and the instructions,when executed, cause the processor to control an external light of thevehicle based on the comparison to indicate the load condition.

Example 17 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofexample 16, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processorto control the external light of the vehicle based on the comparison tovisually indicate to indicate the load condition by causing the externallight to blink at a frequency based on the second load.

Example 18 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofexample 17, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processorto cease blinking of the external light in response to the second loadsatisfying the first load threshold.

Example 19 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofexample 16, wherein the external light includes a first light source, asecond light source, and a third light source, and the instructions,when executed, cause the processor to cause the first light source, thesecond light source, and the third light source to illuminate in a firstpattern when the first load threshold is satisfied, and cause the firstlight source, the second light source, and the third light source toilluminate in a second pattern when a second load threshold issatisfied, the first load threshold is greater than the second loadthreshold.

Example 20 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofexample 14, wherein the determination of the load condition includescomparing a second load on the vehicle to a first load threshold, thesecond load determined based on the load data and the instructions, whenexecuted, cause the processor to causing a horn of the vehicle to soundbased on the comparison to indicate the load condition.

Example 21 includes a method of indicating a loading of a vehiclecomprising generating a map of loads on a vehicle based on load dataassociated with a sensor of the vehicle, determining the load conditionof the vehicle based on the map of loads by comparing a load on thevehicle to a first load threshold, the load determined based on the loaddata, generating an augmented environment identifying the loadcondition, and controlling an external light of the vehicle based on thecomparison of the load to the load threshold to indicate the loadcondition.

Example 22 includes the method of example 21, further including, whenthe vehicle is misloaded, modifying the augmented environment with avisual indication based on the load condition.

Example 23 includes the method of example 21, wherein the external lightincludes a first light source, a second light source, and a third lightsource, and further including causing the first light source, the secondlight source, and the third light source to illuminate in a firstpattern when the first load threshold is satisfied, and causing thefirst light source, the second light source, and the third light sourceto illuminate in a second pattern when a second load threshold issatisfied, the first load threshold is greater than the second loadthreshold. Although certain example methods, apparatus, and articles ofmanufacture have been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of thispatent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers allmethods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling withinthe scope of the claims of this patent.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: memory including storedinstructions; a processor to execute the instructions to: generate a mapof loads on a vehicle based on load data associated with a sensor of thevehicle; determine a load condition of the vehicle based on the map ofloads; correlate a first load of the map of loads with an objectidentified using live video data received from a camera; and generate anaugmented environment identifying at least one of a location of theobject, the first load correlated with the object, or the loadcondition.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor executesthe instructions to, when the load condition of the vehicle ismisloaded, modifying the augmented environment with a visual indicationbased on the load condition, the visual indication including aninstruction to move the object.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theprocessor executes the instructions to determine the load conditionincludes comparing a second load on the vehicle to a first loadthreshold, the second load determined based on the load data, and theprocessor executes the instructions to control an external light of thevehicle based on the comparison to visually indicate the load condition.4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the processor executes instructionsto control the external light of the vehicle based on the comparison tovisually indicate to indicate the load condition by causing the externallight to blink at a frequency based on the load condition.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the processor executes the instructions tocease blinking of the external light in response to the second loadsatisfying the first load threshold.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the external light includes a first light source, a second lightsource, and a third light source, and the processor executes theinstructions to: cause the first light source, the second light source,and the third light source to illuminate in a first pattern when thefirst load threshold is satisfied; and cause the first light source, thesecond light source, and the third light source to illuminate in asecond pattern when a second load threshold is satisfied, the first loadthreshold is greater than the second load threshold.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the processor executes the instructions to determinethe load condition by comparing a second load on the vehicle to a firstload threshold, the second load determined based on the load data, andthe processor executes instructions to cause a horn of the vehicle tosound based on the comparison to indicate the load condition.
 8. Amethod comprising: generating a map of loads on a vehicle based on loaddata associated with a sensor of the vehicle; determining a loadcondition of the vehicle based on the map of loads; correlating a firstload of the map of loads with an object identified using live video datareceived from a camera; and generating an augmented environmentidentifying at least one of a location of the object, the first loadcorrelated with the object, or the load condition.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, further including, when the vehicle is misloaded, modifying theaugmented environment with a visual indication based on the loadcondition, the visual indication including an instruction to move theobject.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining the loadcondition includes comparing a second load on the vehicle to a firstload threshold, the second load determined based on the load data, andfurther including controlling an external light of the vehicle based onthe comparison to indicate the load condition.
 11. The method of claim10, wherein controlling the external light of the vehicle based on thecomparison to visually indicate to indicate the load condition includescausing the external light to blink at a frequency based on the secondload.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the external light includes afirst light source, a second light source, and a third light source, andfurther including: causing the first light source, the second lightsource, and the third light source to illuminate in a first pattern whenthe first load threshold is satisfied; and causing the first lightsource, the second light source, and the third light source toilluminate in a second pattern when a second load threshold issatisfied, the first load threshold is greater than the second loadthreshold.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining the loadcondition includes comparing a second load on the vehicle to a firstload threshold, the second load determined based on the load data andfurther including causing a horn of the vehicle to sound based on thecomparison to indicate the load condition.
 14. A non-transitory computerreadable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed cause aprocessor to: generate a map of loads on a vehicle based on load dataassociated with a sensor of the vehicle; determine a load condition ofthe vehicle based on the map of loads; correlate a first load of the mapof loads with an object identified using live video data received from acamera; and generate an augmented environment identifying at least oneof a location of the object, the first load correlated with the object,or the load condition.
 15. The non-transitory computer readable mediumof claim 14, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause theprocessor to, when the vehicle is misloaded, modify the augmentedenvironment with a visual indication based on the load condition, thevisual indication including an instruction to move the object.
 16. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein thedetermination of the load condition includes comparing a second load onthe vehicle to a first load threshold, the second load determined basedon the load data, and the instructions, when executed, cause theprocessor to control an external light of the vehicle based on thecomparison to indicate the load condition.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions, whenexecuted, cause the processor to control the external light of thevehicle based on the comparison to visually indicate to indicate theload condition by causing the external light to blink at a frequencybased on the second load.
 18. The non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 17, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause theprocessor to cease blinking of the external light in response to thesecond load satisfying the first load threshold.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the external lightincludes a first light source, a second light source, and a third lightsource, and the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to:cause the first light source, the second light source, and the thirdlight source to illuminate in a first pattern when the first loadthreshold is satisfied; and cause the first light source, the secondlight source, and the third light source to illuminate in a secondpattern when a second load threshold is satisfied, the first loadthreshold is greater than the second load threshold.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein thedetermination of the load condition includes comparing a second load onthe vehicle to a first load threshold, the second load determined basedon the load data and the instructions, when executed, cause theprocessor to causing a horn of the vehicle to sound based on thecomparison to indicate the load condition.
 21. A method of indicating aloading of a vehicle comprising: generating a map of loads on thevehicle based on load data associated with a sensor of the vehicle;determining a load condition of the vehicle based on the map of loads bycomparing a load on the vehicle to a first load threshold, the loaddetermined based on the load data; generating an augmented environmentidentifying the load condition; and controlling an external light of thevehicle based on the comparison of the load to the first load thresholdto indicate the load condition.
 22. The method of claim 21, furtherincluding, when the vehicle is misloaded, modifying the augmentedenvironment with a visual indication based on the load condition. 23.The method of claim 21, wherein the external light includes a firstlight source, a second light source, and a third light source, andfurther including: causing the first light source, the second lightsource, and the third light source to illuminate in a first pattern whenthe first load threshold is satisfied; and causing the first lightsource, the second light source, and the third light source toilluminate in a second pattern when a second load threshold issatisfied, the first load threshold is greater than the second loadthreshold.